This book is unique
in that it is authored by Mark Hanson, a fingerstyle guitarist, who has authored over two
dozen books and videos on varying aspects of guitar playing. His contribution to the world of slack key is a
book which covers songs of not one artist but several masters including Ray Kane, Sonny
Chillingworth, Cyril Pahinui, Leonard Kwan and Ledward Ka`apana. If you want to add songs to your repertoire, this
is the book for you.
A knowledgeable source and
student of one of the above named masters told me that there are some inaccuracies in the
tablature as compared to the way his late teacher played it. So I guess as the student, you should realize this
is simply the result of a well-trained musician writing tablature, which can be an art
more than science, the way he hears it. Nevertheless,
I think Mark Hanson has achieved his goal "to help preserve the music these musicians
have produced, and to help spread the gospel of slack key among guitarists around the
world." It should be noted that the
tablature has been written in an attempt to reflect each song as the master recorded it.
Each piece is clearly written in
both tablature and standard musical notation. The CD includes a brief excerpt of
each piece at performance speed and then a full recording at slow speed. I think
this book is well done and better suited to intermediate/advanced students desiring to
expand their repertoire with some great songs. Mark Hanson also includes two of his
own slack key songs as well as his own arrangement of Aloha `Oe. |
= CD
= Cassette
