For steel guitar enthusiasts looking to capture the enchanting sounds of Hawaiian music, finding the right resources for tabs and arrangements is crucial. Many players turn to Scotty’s Steel Guitar Shop as a prime source, particularly for tabs of the legendary Jerry Byrd. But with a vast catalog, knowing where to start and which songs are best for creating that authentic “Hawaiian hula party mood” can be challenging.
This article delves into the discussion among steel guitar players seeking guidance on selecting Hawaiian song tabs from Scotty’s Music, inspired by a thread on the Steel Guitar Forum. We’ll explore recommendations, song choices, and what makes Jerry Byrd’s arrangements so special for players aiming for that genuine Hawaiian sound.
Seeking the Right Hawaiian Tunes for Steel Guitar
The original forum post comes from Jesse Pearson, a steel guitar player preparing for cruise ship gigs and wanting to create a “Hawaiian hula party mood.” He’s specifically interested in Jerry Byrd tabs available at Scotty’s Music and is looking for recommendations on which 12 songs would be ideal for this setting.
Jesse, relatively new to Hawaiian steel guitar beyond instructional material, asks the forum community: “What 12 songs of Jerry Byrd’s do you think would be the best for this kind of situation?” He clarifies his need for songs that evoke a “Hawaiian hula party mood” suitable for afternoon happy hour gigs.
Community Insights and Song Suggestions
Initially, the post received a slow response, prompting Jesse to inquire further, wondering if others were unfamiliar with Jerry Byrd tabs beyond instructional books. He expands his question to include any Hawaiian songs, tabbed or not, that fit the desired mood, indicating he’s willing to cross-reference with Scotty’s Music’s catalog.
Jeff Au Hoy offers a reassuring perspective, suggesting that “you couldn’t go wrong just randomly choosing 12 arrangements from the catalog.” He emphasizes Jerry Byrd’s consistent high quality and dedication to his arrangements, ensuring that any selection would likely be suitable for a Hawaiian mood. Jeff humorously adds a point about audience perception, implying that the essence of Hawaiian music might be appreciated even with simpler performances.
Brad Bechtel, a moderator, acknowledges missing the initial message and attributes the slow response to good weather, humorously suggesting people are enjoying the outdoors. He admits his lack of experience with Jerry Byrd tabs, thus being unable to offer specific song recommendations.
Mike Ihde provides a helpful list of standard Hawaiian songs like “Harbor Lights,” “Little Grass Shack,” and “Lovely Hula Hands.” However, he cautions about the difficulty level of Jerry Byrd’s arrangements, noting they are “not beginning level” and require advanced techniques like forward, reverse, and split bar chops. This highlights an important consideration for players choosing tabs – skill level versus desired repertoire.
Jesse responds, indicating he’s worked through Jerry Byrd’s instructional book and is ready to tackle more complex arrangements. He expresses a preference for “rev’d up songs” similar to “Pidgin English” and seeks clarity on which of Byrd’s songs are more energetic versus traditionally mellow. He also articulates a broader need for a comprehensive steel guitar tab book covering theory and classic sets of Hawaiian and Western Swing tunes, reflecting a desire to expand his steel guitar knowledge and versatility.
Kenny Dail recommends “Hilo March,” “Kahalo March,” and “How Do You Do,” offering specific song titles to consider from Scotty’s Music or other sources.
Rick Aiello shares an extensive setlist from his restaurant gigs featuring exclusively Jerry Byrd pro-arrangements. His Hawaiian song list in C6/A7 tuning includes:
- Blue Hawaiian Moonlite
- *Akaka Falls
- *Kilima Waltz
- *Tiare No Tahiti
- *Drowsy Waters
- *Beyond the Reef
- Lei Aloha Lei Makamae
- Pau Waltz
- Across the Sea
- *Blue Hawaii
- Waipio
- *Hawaiian Paradise
- Adventures in Paradise
- Hawaii Aloha
- Kanaka Wai Wai
- Aloha Sunsetland
- Weddin’ Song
- Maui Moon
- Isa Lei
- Beautiful Kahana
- Grass Shack
- (fast)Hula Lady
- (fast)Beach at Waikiki
- (real fast)Hula Blues
- (fast)Kohala March
- (fast)My Tane
- Kolopa
- Aloha Oe
- *
Rick also lists E9 arrangements and misc C6/A7 songs, demonstrating the breadth of repertoire suitable for steel guitar in various settings. He later marks songs he plans to carry over to a new setlist featuring Andy Iona’s music, further refining his recommendations.
Jesse expresses gratitude for Rick’s comprehensive list and asks for clarification on which songs are “rev’d up” versus slow, and which would be best for showcasing steel guitar skills.
Rick responds by marking his preferred “showcase” songs with asterisks and identifying fast/snappy tunes within his list. He advises Jesse to choose songs that personally appeal to him, highlighting the importance of personal connection to the music.
Jesse, appreciating the guidance, indicates he will explore Rick’s showcase song suggestions and Kenny’s recommendations, showing a clear path forward based on community input.
Rick further elaborates on his setlist strategy, distinguishing between instrumental showcase pieces (Jerry Byrd arrangements) and simpler, well-known tourist songs like “Pearly Shells” and “Tiny Bubbles” for sing-alongs and requests. This practical advice underscores the need for versatility in performance repertoire.
David L. Donald reinforces Rick’s list as “excellent” and suggests that the song itself dictates the appropriate tempo and feel. He points out that some songs can be played both as ballads and faster pieces, offering flexibility in performance.
Jesse inquires about the “top ten most requested Hawaiian songs besides Aloha Oe” that tourists would know and sing along to.
Rick provides a list of popular requested songs:
- Blue Hawaii
- Tiny Bubbles
- Pearly Shells
- Little Grass Shack
- Lovely Hula Hands
- Sweet Leilani
- Hawaiian Wedding Song
- On the Beach at Waikiki
- Beyond the Reef
- Hawaiian War Chant
- Song of the Islands
- Little Brown Gal
This list directly addresses Jesse’s need for crowd-pleasing sing-along tunes, complementing the instrumental showcase pieces.
Gene Jones shares a humorous anecdote about attending a luau with no steel guitar, emphasizing the instrument’s importance in authentic Hawaiian music experiences.
Jesse expresses thanks for Rick’s second list, feeling equipped with knowledge to study and prepare his repertoire.
Harry Williams, a forum member developing an interest in Hawaiian music from a rock and blues background, inquires about obtaining music and tabs, specifically mentioning “Scotty’s.”
Jesse directs Harry to contact “Scotty’s music” (Scotty’s Steel Guitar Shop) to request the Jerry Byrd tab catalog, providing a practical step for accessing these resources.
Key Takeaways for Choosing Hawaiian Steel Guitar Tabs from Scotty’s Music
This forum discussion provides valuable insights for steel guitar players looking to build a Hawaiian repertoire using tabs from Scotty’s Music, particularly Jerry Byrd’s arrangements:
- Jerry Byrd’s Arrangements are Highly Recommended: Forum members consistently praise the quality and “Hawaiian hula party mood” of Jerry Byrd’s arrangements, suggesting almost any selection from Scotty’s catalog would be a good choice.
- Consider Skill Level: Be aware that Jerry Byrd’s tabs are generally advanced. Assess your skills and consider starting with a smaller set of songs to master.
- Balance Showcase and Sing-Along Songs: For gigs, prepare both impressive instrumental pieces and simpler, well-known songs that audiences can enjoy and sing along to. Rick and David’s lists offer excellent starting points.
- Explore Scotty’s Music Catalog: Contact Scotty’s Steel Guitar Shop to obtain their Jerry Byrd tab catalog. This is the primary resource for accessing these arrangements.
- Community Wisdom is Valuable: Online forums like the Steel Guitar Forum are excellent places to seek recommendations and advice from experienced players.
By considering these insights and exploring the resources mentioned, steel guitarists can confidently select Hawaiian song tabs from Scotty’s Music and craft captivating performances that truly evoke the spirit of Hawaiian music.
