What is "slack key" guitar and how is it different from the "ukulele"?
Well, Hawaiian slack key is a genre of music with a bass line, whereas, the ukulele is tuned higher and there are less strings than the guitar, thus making the sound different. Slack key is when the strings of the guitar are slacked or loosened and the style to which the fingers pick the strings and how the fingers slide on the strings, the sound is a lingering bluesy effect. Think Doc Watson or Jimmy Page. It's a beautifully sweet mesmerizing sound.
Listen to samples http://www.amazon.com/Hawaiian-Slack-Key-Guitar Masters/dp/B0000030MF/ref=pd_krex_fa_t
The origin of the slack key is said to be in the early 1900's. It may be that the guitars were most likely introduced to Hawaii by the European sailors and that guitars were also brought to Hawaii by Spanish cowboys hired by King Kamehameha III to herd the cattle on Hawaii Island.
At night, the Spanish cowboys would play their guitars and this would intrigue the Hawaiian cowboys, called "paniolos". When the Spanish left Hawaii some of them left their guitars. The Hawaiians would later create their own blend of traditional music~hawaiian slack key.
A musician at this years Slack Key Festival that really impressed me was Makana. He is an unbelievable talent with great showmanship and fervor. He began studying at the age of 11 and started playing professionally at age 13. His own musical blend of traditional Hawaiian Slack Key, that of which is pure Makana, is marking a journey onto his own. His followers are young and old, locals and mainlanders. At 31, Makana has played the best stages worldwide, has opened for renowned performers and has released 6 CD's to date.
Masters of the Hawaiian Slack Key guitar include Ray Kane, Keola Beamer, Sonny Chillingworth, Dennis Kamakahi, Ledward Ka'apana and Gabby Pahinui.
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