| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| azpaul |
Posted - 03/15/2012 : 08:36:21 AM
I'm new to the forum and didn't find much on the topic using the search function so I thought I'd post. I've tried a couple of DVDs and attended a Patrick Landeza slack key guitar workshop a year ago but am making no progress. I tend to keep playing the same thing over and over. Has anyone had any experience, good or bad, with lessons via Skype? Any recommendations for reasonably priced instruction? I'm in the Scottsdale, AZ area which is not exactly a hotbed of Hawaiian music so I'm exploring learning alternatives to the old DVD route, which isn't working for me. |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| azpaul |
Posted - 03/21/2012 : 12:03:12 PM
Thanks for the input, everyone. I've decided to give the DVD route another try. I found one from George Kahumoku on his website that had some sample snippets so I have a bit of an idea of what to expect from the DVD. That's why I ordered it. I'll still watch this forum though in case any Skype instructors or experiences are mentioned. |
| Ambrosius |
Posted - 03/20/2012 : 04:46:29 AM
The problem is distortion of the sound. I find no solution which will keep an acceptable pitch and quality. Media Player 10+ and Quick Time Player 7+ are said to be able to do it, pitch yes, but it's clipping in such a way I find it difficult to hear the tone properly.
The old and proven rewind button for me, so far. |
| Ambrosius |
Posted - 03/19/2012 : 05:10:29 AM
quote:
citing my Bach video
Oh, you deserve all the cred you can get. Your recordings are absolutely wonderful. Think of Bach, he turned out that kind of pieces 'every Sunday' all his life.
Anybody having a recommendation for software to download from Youtube and convert to WMV format? If WMV is the format to work with, that is. |
| fred d |
Posted - 03/19/2012 : 05:06:22 AM
Good morning and Aloha. This might get me some chatter here but? If you can't find a slack key instructor--- try a banjo instructor the first 4 string in taropatch (open G ) are the same and the picking ( rolls ) are also similar the main difference is the 5 -string and no 6 string I played bluegrass for years on the banjo and gitjo,and spent some time learning ukulele one day I saw a book learning to play hawiian slack key guitar since I like hawiian (much better than bluegrass) the tab was fimilar so I bought it and went home with in a few minites I was playing most of the songs my wife walked in to ask about my new CD. Since that time I have played with several bands and still play in taropatch even most of the chords are the same, If in doubt take a look at any bluegrass banjo begining book at the picking patterns and chords Best of luck fred |
| RWD |
Posted - 03/19/2012 : 03:39:57 AM
Thanks for citing my Bach video Ambrosius. I play a few different styles to keep things fresh and to stay in a learning mode. I have several Slack videos as well.
I started expressing and playing beautiful music on guitar only after taking up slack key. What I have learned from slack key carries on through all the music I play.
|
| chunky monkey |
Posted - 03/18/2012 : 12:53:54 PM
Windows Movie Maker - yes |
| Ambrosius |
Posted - 03/18/2012 : 10:11:37 AM
quote:
Originally posted by chunky monkey
Re software, I was referring to Windows Media Maker (WMM). I still run a Windows XP machine and it came with the OS. I think Windows 7 machines have a different setup. Anyway, there are freeware programs available to convert DVD formats and YouTube formats (flash) to something that WMM can import. Inside WMM, you can single step through frames and watch chord changes and fingerings. For example, recently I downloaded Kawika Kahiapo playing "East Side Slack" and loaded it into WMM where I could watch some of his single note and double stop playing. After a few passes, I was able to decipher stuff that I could never have figured out in real time or without 1-1 instruction. I've done the same with videos that I took with my camera at performances. I'm sure that others on this forum have similar techniques.
I need to update myself on this. I see it will be absolute useful. I run XP myself. I find Windows Movie Maker, would that be the same? |
| chunky monkey |
Posted - 03/18/2012 : 07:42:59 AM
Re software, I was referring to Windows Media Maker (WMM). I still run a Windows XP machine and it came with the OS. I think Windows 7 machines have a different setup. Anyway, there are freeware programs available to convert DVD formats and YouTube formats (flash) to something that WMM can import. Inside WMM, you can single step through frames and watch chord changes and fingerings. For example, recently I downloaded Kawika Kahiapo playing "East Side Slack" and loaded it into WMM where I could watch some of his single note and double stop playing. After a few passes, I was able to decipher stuff that I could never have figured out in real time or without 1-1 instruction. I've done the same with videos that I took with my camera at performances. I'm sure that others on this forum have similar techniques. |
| thumbstruck |
Posted - 03/18/2012 : 06:49:41 AM
Bob did a great job. Alternate tunings have been around since instruments were made. "Taropatch" was documented in German lute tablature 400 years ago. |
| Ambrosius |
Posted - 03/18/2012 : 12:28:01 AM
quote:
THESE folks ARE the slack key experts
I didn't know that first time on this forum  Videos I'd been admiring on the tube for a long time, was actually the contributors here.
azpaul, - here's one of the contributors to this thread.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i4PQOCSS4M&list=PL919DBD20584268F2&index=1&feature=plcp
Enjoy. |
| Ambrosius |
Posted - 03/18/2012 : 12:12:47 AM
quote:
There is software available, usually free, that lets you take that video and slow it down, so that you can watch every chord change or single note. I use that technique a lot studying Gabe's Youtube videos because he does a lot of interesting chord substitutions and fingerings that I haven't mastered.
Any hints on what software that might be? Thanks for the pointer to Gabe. |
| Ambrosius |
Posted - 03/18/2012 : 12:05:45 AM
A most interesting thread.
quote:
I'm not a natural musician
Who is? Finding music interesting and fascinating enough to put endless hours into learning, listening and playing, just have to do for me.
quote:
keep playing the same thing over and over
Been there. It's the parlor musician's grave danger, I suppose. Lack of inspiration and lack of interactions. The internet with foras like this and the tube with all good recordings makes it possible for a man like me to pick up the guitar again after so many years.
The way out of it? On piano, the way out of it for me, was to be aware at all time what chord I were in, and the belonging scales. By that giving me a path to freedom greater than reading from the sheets.
By now, approaching (slack key) guitar, my first priority is to learn the fret-board, the chords and the scales. That's why for me it's right to stick to one tuning. I choose the Taro Patch or Open G.
I've put down on paper four fret-boards, in G, in D, in C and in F. First I plotted the pentatonic scales, but decided that was too much for my head. Reduced it to the root, III and V. Not to mug up all the time, I reward myself fiddling around with tunes I like in particular, but always in Taro Patch. Pretending to be one of the big boys, you know.
Well, that's my take on it. |
| slipry1 |
Posted - 03/17/2012 : 6:49:28 PM
I take Skype lessons from Alan. The only problem is that Skype is half duplex, so no duets are possible - one at a time. That's the only drawback. Of course, I'll be around for a whole month of lessons starting April 5. |
| wcerto |
Posted - 03/17/2012 : 07:06:55 AM
Alan Akaka gives lessons via skype. He says it works pretty well for him. He primarily teaches steel guitar. |
| chunky monkey |
Posted - 03/16/2012 : 4:03:10 PM
In my experience, three things work best with DVDs.
The first is to really know the tuning. Not just the basics of parallel sixths and thirds and basic chords. Pick a tuning, like Open G, and study it on your guitar. Find all the places to play every chord and note in that tuning. It helps if you have some music theory, and that can be learned from a zillion free websites.
It will help you get through the "what's another way to play that"
Second, it helps to know the performer who is doing the playing on the DVD; specifically, what kind of stuff does he or she like to do. There are good instructors and not so good instructors. The folks on this forum can point you to the winners.
Third, in the beginning, you have to play a song until you almost can't stand it. It's tempting to try to learn several at one time. Concentrate on one until it's yours. With the internet and Youtube, you can probably find lots of examples of players doing that song.
Check out Wanda's links to all the videos that are available.
A couple of the guys on this forum have some excellent stuff out there that you can watch endlessly. It's not a substitute for 1-1 instruction, but over time it will help you decide how to play certain songs. Again, knowing the tuning will help a lot when watching. There is software available, usually free, that lets you take that video and slow it down, so that you can watch every chord change or single note. I use that technique a lot studying Gabe's Youtube videos because he does a lot of interesting chord substitutions and fingerings that I haven't mastered. Also, don't be afraid to ask for help from this forum with a specific technique or song. THESE folks ARE the slack key experts, although they won't admit to it. I can't imagine a question that wouldn't elicit a helpful response.
From personal experience, I had the best luck with Ozzie's and John Keawe's instructional DVDs. Good luck and stick with it; it's worth the effort. |
