| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Puluke |
Posted - 09/04/2011 : 07:55:59 AM
Aloha
I fell in love with slack key guitar while on visits to the Big Island and to Kauai, and finally decided to try learning it. After searching these forums for suggestions (very helpful!), I bought a copy of Ozzie Kotani's book; a couple weeks later I think I'm making nice progress, having gone through its first two songs. At this point I have a few questions and would be truly grateful for any and all help.
- First, with my right hand I'm plucking with my fingertips, giving a somewhat muted sound rather than the "fat" sound I hear on recordings. Should I be using my fingernails almost as a pick? Or should the nail just give "backing" to the flesh of the fingetip? When I try plucking with the nail, my fingerpicking just goes to heck.
- Next, I've seen posts here and elsewhere regarding string spacing, suggesting that wider might be better. What's consider wide?
- Finally, I'm playing an old Yamaha and will eventually want to get something better. As somebody who isn't ready to spend thousands, what should I be looking for in a guitar for slack key? Any specific models that might be recommended?
I plan on getting Ozzie's first DVD when I can find it and look forward to one day progressing beyond that. In the meantime I'm truly enjoying being indirectly part of something so beautiful.
Mahalo 
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| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| fred d |
Posted - 06/14/2012 : 5:56:51 PM
I have been playing slack key for 4 years and use my finger tips (very hard from years of construction work) I also play and old harmond nylon string as well as a taylor ooo steel string I like the sound of the harmondy better becouse it has more sustain and a mellow sound I have tryed Seagaull guitars and like there sound but perfer the classic guitars! |
| Puluke |
Posted - 06/14/2012 : 5:30:21 PM
Oops. Not a post, just trying to edit my profile! |
| Allen M Cary |
Posted - 09/19/2011 : 10:58:34 AM
This is a normal phenomenon. Most of the time the odd sounding effect is used for that, an example is in Keola Beamers Makika where the 7th fret hammer on is supposed to be evocative of a mosquito's annoying buzz. I usually do my higher fret hammer ons from a barre position that cleans up the sound. I've often wondered how the Chapman Stick handles this problem since it is played entirely by hammer ons and pull offs.
Aloha
Allen |
| Sarah |
Posted - 09/18/2011 : 2:05:14 PM
It might be, but, in my experience, it is part of the "sound", and the solution is to play those notes and move on, quickly. The faster and more accurately you hit those hammers, the more those overtones you hear blend into the general mix, the general aura of sound. I find it exceptionally noticeable at 7th and 12th, with no other good answer except, hammer fast and continue playing without hesitation, by which continuation of sound you will mitigate the funny overtones. I haven't noticed this in Molehu, but it was a problem for me in another of his pieces, Manamana Lele. I guess those fingers really have to lele!
Maybe someone else has a better approach, but that's the best I've come up with.
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| Puluke |
Posted - 09/18/2011 : 11:20:37 AM
I've ordered the DVD...with a little luck it'll be here when I return from this week's businees trip. I appreciate your help and the heads up!
On another note, whenever I hammer on third or fourth fret and higher, the length of string between the fret and the nut rings; I've tried everything I can think of but nothing stops it. On fifth fret (playing Molehu) it's very noticeable. Could this be a sign that the action needs to be lowered? |
| Admin |
Posted - 09/18/2011 : 01:45:53 AM
You can definitely buy it here: http://www.ozziekotani.com/instruction.html |
| chistoso |
Posted - 09/13/2011 : 7:18:03 PM
Sorry, that one's gone. |
| chistoso |
Posted - 09/13/2011 : 7:16:25 PM
One here, too:
http://www.elderly.com/videos/items/694-DVD701.htm |
| Admin |
Posted - 09/13/2011 : 03:42:50 AM
I'll try asking Ozzie about the website. In the meantime, you might try here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/ozziekotani |
| Puluke |
Posted - 09/12/2011 : 6:57:37 PM
Mahalo to all for sharing your insights and encouragement. As I've continued to practice, my tone has improved though I'm hard pressed to say just what I'm doing differently. In any case, maybe I was expecting too much too soon.
Regarding Ozzie Kotani's DVD, can anyone suggest where it might be available? Slack-key.net has been down for at least several days, and everywhere else the DVD is out of stock. |
| Pops |
Posted - 09/07/2011 : 1:40:31 PM
Well said, Uncle Cyril! |
| cyril |
Posted - 09/07/2011 : 08:17:46 AM
That feeling of love for the music is where to start then learn the cords and come by to play anytime the way is open. Nana ka maka; ho‘olohe ka pepeiao -watch with the eyes, and listen with the ears.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlFOtAfczXM&feature=related
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| Allen M Cary |
Posted - 09/06/2011 : 12:39:51 PM
Yea, we use it by the tanker load here. See how it well works. The stress built up, but the quake had to go the East Coast! |
| Retro |
Posted - 09/06/2011 : 11:32:13 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Allen M Cary
I was just asked "what is CA glue?"
I assumed it was what you placed in the San Andreas Fault, in order to keep California from sinking into the sea in an earthquake. |
| Allen M Cary |
Posted - 09/06/2011 : 09:44:50 AM
I was just asked "what is CA glue?" I tend to hang on luthier sites and forget about the jargon. CA Glue is cyano-acrylate, better known as "Crazy Glue."
Aloha,
Allen |
