Lesson

This mele is based on a chant by King Liholiho about a kapu or restricted beach area in Waialua on the island of O’ahu that was set to music by Charles E. King.  The first Taro Patch tuning vamp we have studied is used extensively in this lovely song. Practice keeping the alternate bass pattern steady and bring out the shifting harmonies between G and D7 chords by changing bass notes from the 5th to 6th strings.  G in on the open 5th string and D is on the open 6th string.

Tuning: DGDGBD

If your are interested in more lessons like this and further development, you can become a member of the Slack Key Guitar Workshop and get access to all the materials including sheet music and tablature for each lesson.

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This lesson will help you develop your right hand fingerstyle technique on open strings.

Tuning: DGDGBD

If your are interested in more lessons like this and further development, you can become a member of the Slack Key Guitar Workshop and get access to all the materials including sheet music and tablature for each lesson.

Become a member here

Here is a lesson to further develop your understanding of basic music notation.  The goal here is to understand how to count out various rhythms and read rhythms in tablature notation.

Sheet Music:

Rhythm Worksheet for Counting and Reading

In this lesson we explore the right hand set up for strumming.

This lesson looks at setting up the left hand to play single notes

In this lesson, the right hand position is introduced for playing fingerstyle guitar.

G Wahine Tuning is a wonderful variation on the Taro Patch Tuning.  The third string is lowered from G to F#.  This tuning was a favorite of Sonny Chillingworth, Ray Kane, and Alice Namakelua.  We will explore many songs in this tuning in later lessons.  Start to get to know the tuning and memorize the G, C, and D7 chord shapes in first position.

Tuning: DGDF#BD 

The C Wahine Tuning is used extensively by Keola Beamer and is often called Keola’s C.  As we learn more tunings you will be introduced to many variations in the key of C.  The low C and G notes on the bass strings create an beautiful richness and depth.  This lesson introduces the common fingering of C, F, and G7 chords in first position and a variation of the F chord shape in fifth position.

Tuning: CGDGBE

Chord Diagrams: