Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar

The rhythmic sounds of Hawaiian slack key guitar evoke strong images of majestic mountains, crashing waves, and swaying palm trees. A cliched but nevertheless accurate description of slack key guitars’ effect on the hearts of locals and a growing number of mainstream artists. As the notes ring melodic, a story is told, an image comes into view, and feelings are aroused from a style of music that is completely ours.

As jazz is a uniquely American musical genre, Hawaiian slack key guitar’s quintessence is found in the “local color” of our melting pot. The origins of slack key, passed on through oral tradition points to the Mexican and Spanish who brought their guitars to Hawaii in the 1830s. The Hawaiians took the instrument, absorbed and synthesized it with their own traditions and culture, thus creating a new genre of guitar music. The term slack key (ki-ho’alu) refers to the retuning or “loosening the key” of the guitar from the standard tuning EADGBE to produce a major chord or a chord with a major 7th note. Not limited to the a fore mentioned, there are over 50 slack key tunings to select from.  When played, the open notes ring unrestrained creating harmonious tones that pour out of the guitarist heart, into the instrument.

Among the many local artists who have played slack key, a debt of gratitude is owed to the likes of Gabby Pahinui , Leonard Kwan , Sonny Chillingsworth , and Raymond Kane , musicians who helped popularize the uniquely Hawaiian genre. Current artist such as Ledward Kaapana , George Kahumoku Jr. , and Dennis Kamakahi to name a few, continue to promote the fine tradition of slack key guitar. Mainstream artists such as Ry Cooder, Doyle Dykes, and Chet Atkins have embraced slack key guitar, finding an emotional connection to the music. Piano virtuoso George Winston readily admits his favorite musical instrument and genre is Hawaiian slack key guitar. George Winston has helped to promote Hawaiian slack key guitar by helping produce over 30 solo guitar recordings of other musicians.  Local events such as Annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival is a wonderful way to enjoy Hawaii’s great tradition of music that is deeply entrenched in our “local color.”

If you are new to the genre of Hawaiian slack key, check out Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters (Instrumental Collection) from Dancing Cat Records, a compilation of slack key instrumentals from legendary local artists. Visit the website

Video Credit: GrandMasterGuess, sirduke58, GtrWorkShp, BreezePls, KoRt7, mauitodaytv, CrossRoadsProject, on YouTube