Keola Beamer Teaches Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar
HOMESPUN
Taught By Keola Beamer.
Level 3
CD plus 40-page music + tab book

Here's the perfect introduction to "slack key," a picking style in traditional alternate tunings that's a cross between country fingerpicking and classical guitar. The music, which can be played on any guitar, has a lush sound that is instantly evocative of the islands of the Pacific.

Keola Beamer, a member of one of Hawaii's most illustrious musical families and a master of slack key guitar, has chosen five traditional pieces -- "Isa Lei," "Mino'aka," "Moana's Laundry Basket," "Papa's Okolehau" and "I Ka Po Me Ke Ao" -- and teaches them in depth in this marvelous CD/book package. His tunes employ a variety of techniques, including the use of vibrato, harmonics, slurs, harmonies in thirds and sixths, legato playing and other musical ideas that help create a distinctive guitar sound.

About Keola Beamer
Keola Beamer is a member of one of Hawaii's most illustrious and beloved musical families. He was one of the first Hawaiian recording artists to integrate ancient Hawaiian chants and instruments into contemporary music, and has recorded many songs written by his ancestors. Keola's first solo album was recorded in 1972 and he has since recorded and produced more than a dozen albums. He has appeared on Sesame Street , has won many Hoku Awards (the Hawaiian equivalent of the Grammies), and toured the U.S. as one of the "Masters of the Slack Key Guitar."