Who invented slack key guitar?

“Slack key is the way Hawaiians first played the guitar when when it was introduced by the Spanish and Mexican vaqueros or cowboys in the 1800s.

What is the tuning for slack key guitar?

G Major Tuning
The G Major Tuning (D–G–D–G–B–D) -(#G-1), usually called “Taro Patch Tuning” in Hawai’i, is the most common tuning used in the Slack Key tradition, and the key of G is the most common key used. This tuning is prominently used by most Slack Key guitarists.

Is Slack Key Guitar hard?

This is an essential element to Slack Key in its pure form. This is what makes the guitar sound like multiple guitars, and it is very difficult to do because it requires training the thumb to act independently from the fingers.

How is slack key different?

Like blues, slack key guitar is very flexible. Often, the same guitarist will play a song differently each time, sometimes using different tempos, and even different tunings. As each guitarist learns to play slack key, they find their own individual tunings, repertoire, tempos and ornaments.

Why is it called slack key guitar?

Slack-key guitar (from Hawaiian kī hōʻalu, which means “loosen the [tuning] key”) is a fingerstyle genre of guitar music that originated in Hawaii after Portuguese cowboys introduced Spanish guitars there in the late 19th century.

What is C Wahine tuning?

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.

What tuning does Bonnie Raitt use?

Like George, Raitt plays a Stratocaster that’s run through a compressor on the way to the amp, an effect that narrows the sound and makes it sustain longer. Like him, she favors an open tuning known as taro-patch tuning, in reference to its Hawaiian origins.

Why is it called slack-key?

Who introduced guitar to the Hawaiians?

Portuguese vaqueros
History. In the late 19th century, European sailors and Portuguese vaqueros, hired by Hawaii’s king to work cattle ranches, introduced Spanish guitars in the Hawaiian Islands.

What tuning did Elmore James use?

Elmore James often tune his guitar to open E or open D tuning. E, B, E, G#, B, E. D, A, D, F#, A, D. For years people wondered what electric guitar he used to get that nasty slide guitar sound.