• •
Section V: Hawaiian Recordings in the Slack Key Tunings

Section V: Hawaiian Recordings in the Slack Key Tunings

F Tunings

F1. C-F-C-G-A-F F4. C-F-C-A-G-E
F2. F-C-E-G-C-E F5. F-Bb-C-F-A-E
F3. C-F-C-G-C-E F6. Bb-F-C-F-A-E

F1. C-F-C-G-A-F

Keola Beamer:
F1
    WOODEN BOAT (Dancing Cat 38024)
    • 'Elepaio Slack Key

F2. F-C-E-G-C-E

Sometimes called Gabby's F Tuning.

Carlos Andrade [with Na Pali]:
F2
    PACIFIC TUNINGS (Awapuhi Records 101)
    • Iesu No Ke Kahuhipa/Jesus - Played in the key of C.

Leonard Kwan:
F2
    SLACK KEY [with the black and white cover, which also has tracks by slack key guitarist Ray Kane] (Tradewinds Records 106) - Reissued on CD on Hana Ola Records with the title THE LEGENDARY LEONARD KWAN - THE COMPLETE EARLY RECORDINGS (Hana Ola 53000).
    • Hawaiian Love - Tuned down to sound in the key of Eb. This song also appears on the anthology album PARTY SONGS HAWAIIAN STYLE, VOLUME 2 (Tradewinds Records 104 [LP] & 5504 [cassette]).

Gabby Pahinui:
F2
    PURE GABBY (Hula Records 567)
    • Isalei/Aloha 'Oe (2 song medley) - Tuned down one half step to sound in the key of E. This track also appears on Gabby's "Best Of" recording THE BEST OF GABBY VOL. II (Hula Records 585).
    • Slack Key Medley (Nani Wale Lihu'e/Ka 'I'iwi Polena/Silver Threads Among the Gold/Nani Wale Lihu'e (March Style)/Wai'alae) (5 song medley) - This track also appears on Gabby's "Best Of" recording THE KING OF SLACK KEY - THE BEST OF GABBY PAHINUI VOLUME 1 (Hula Records 578), formerly titled KA MAKANA A PAHINUI (THE GIFT OF PAHINUI).
F2
    Hula Medley (Nani Wale Lihu'e/Wai'alae/Halona) - Tuned down one half step to sound in the key of E. Originally issued in 1946 on 78-RPM (Bell Records LKS 506B - out-of-print). Reissued on the anthology album THE HISTORY OF SLACK KEY GUITAR - VINTAGE HAWAIIAN TREASURES VOL. 7 (Hana Ola Records 24000), which has 19 historical tracks by nine slack key guitarists.
F2
    HAWAIIAN SLACK KEY VOL. II (Waikiki Records 320)
    • Hula Blues
    • Slack Key Medley: Kona Kai Opua/Kila Kila Haleakala/Hanohano Hanalei
    • Slack Key Medley: Nalani/Akahi Hoi/Hoi Mai
F2
    HAWAIIAN SLACK KEY VOL. I (Waikiki Records 319)
    • Ka'ena
    • Slack Key Medley (Kuhio Bay/Roselani/Hendersons March/Koni Au I Ka Wai/Hui E)
    • Wehi Wehi Oe
    • Pua Lilia
F2
    DUKE KAHANAMOKU'S FAVORITES [backing up Charles Miller, Jr.] (Waikiki Records 124 - out-of-print)
    • Maunakea

F3. C-F-C-G-C-E

Sometimes Called Leonard's F Tuning.

Keola Beamer:
F3
    MOE'UHANE KIKA - TALES FROM THE DREAM GUITAR (Dancing Cat 38006)
    • Au Kai
    • Kealoha
    • Medley: Ku'u Lei 'Awapuhi Melemele & Pua Be Still
    • Roselani Blossoms
    • Sanoe
    • Slack Key Music Box
F3
    MAUNA KEA - WHITE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL (Dancing Cat 38011)
    • Makika (Mosquito)
    • Pupu Hinuhinu (Shiny Shell Lullaby) - This song also appears on the compilation album ON A STARRY NIGHT (Windham Hill 11213).
F3
    KOLONAHE - FROM THE GENTLE WIND (Dancing Cat 38047)
    • He Aloha Mele
    • Honolulu City Lights - Played in the key of C.
    • Ipo Lei Manu/He'eia
    • Ku'u Lei 'Awapuhi - Played in the key of Bb.
    • Maika'i Ka Makani O Kohala (How Fine the Wind of Kohala)
F3
    SOLILOQUY - KA LEO O LOKO (Dancing Cat 38012)
    • Wai Ulu - Capoed up to the fourth fret to sound in the key of Ab.
F3
    ISLAND BORN ('Ohe Records 96118)
    • Hula O Makee - Tuned down two half steps, and fingered in the key of C, therefore sounding in the key of Bb.
    • Island Born - Tuned down two half steps, and fingered in the key of C, therefore sounding in the key of Bb.
    • Medley: Wao Lipo/Ke Ao Nani
    • Ku'u Hoa - Tuned down two half steps, and fingered in the key of C, therefore sounding in the key of Bb.
    • Sweet River - Tuned down two half steps, and fingered in the key of C, therefore sounding in the key of Bb.
F3
    MOHALA HOU - MUSIC OF THE HAWAIIAN RENAISSANCE ('Ohe Records 96120)
    • Ku'u Home O Kahalu'u - Tuned down one half step to sound in the key of E.
    • Moon and Stars - Capoed up six frets to sound in the key of B.

Leonard Kwan:
F3
    THE OLD WAY (Tradewinds Records 1128) - Reissued on CD on Hana Ola Records with the title THE LEGENDARY LEONARD KWAN - THE COMPLETE EARLY RECORDINGS (Hana Ola 53000).
    • 'Akaka Falls - Part of an unstated medley with 'Imi Au Ia 'Oe.
    • Mi Nei
F3
    PARTY SONGS HAWAIIAN STYLE VOLUME 1 [anthology album] (Tradewinds Records 102)
    • Ahi Wela - With Leonard backing up Bob Kauhane Davis and the Kamahao's Trio.
F3
    PARTY SONGS HAWAIIAN STYLE VOLUME 2 [anthology album] (Tradewinds Records 104 [LP] & 5504 [cassette])
    • Halialaulani or Hi'ilawe - With Leonard backing up Bob Davis and Edwina Noelani Kanoho (Noelani Mahoe).
    • Manu 'O'o - With Leonard backing up Edwina Noelani Kanoho (Noelani Mahoe).
F3
    KE'ALA'S MELE (Dancing Cat 38004)
    • Ki Ho'alu Chimes
    • Mauna Loa
    • Medley: None Hula & He Aloha No 'O Honolulu
F3
    HAWAIIAN SLACK KEY CHRISTMAS (Dancing Cat 38044)
    • We Wish You Merry Christmas - Tuned down two half steps to sound in the key of Eb.

F4. C-F-C-A-G-E

Keola Beamer:

Slack key guitarist Keola Beamer has experimented with an untitled composition in this tuning.

F5. F-Bb-C-F-A-E

This tuning is both Wahine and Mauna Loa.

Mika'ele Mike McClellan:
F5
    SOME NEW THINGS! (KI HO'ALU: HE MAU MEA HOU!) (Topsoil Records 9083)
    • 'O KCCN
F5
    BACKYARD SLACK KEY & AUTOHARP (Topsoil Records 8128) - To order, contact Mika'ele Mike McClellan, c/o Bartlett & Company, Box 10461, Portland, OR 97210.
    • 'O KCCN
F5
    SLACK-KEY VAGABOND (AIM Recording Company 7-29012-5)
    • Hokuwelowelo Waltz

F6. Bb-F-C-F-A-E

This tuning is both Wahine and Mauna Loa. Tuning #F4 is similar to #F3 with the two lowest bass strings tuned up and reversed in pitch.

(Nothing has been recorded in this tuning.)


Artists • Recordings • Concerts • Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar • Slack Key Info Book
About Dancing Cat • George Winston.com • Links • Home