Slack Key guitar, known in Hawaiian as Kī Hō’alu, is more than just a musical style; it’s a captivating narrative woven into the very fabric of Hawai’ian culture. This unique acoustic guitar tradition, born from the heart of the islands, offers a rich tapestry of sound that has enchanted listeners for generations. Often described as sounding like “three guitars in one,” Slack Key is characterized by its distinctive open tunings and fingerpicking techniques, creating a resonant and deeply evocative soundscape. While the term “slack key” might broadly refer to open tuning styles in other cultures, Hawaiian Slack Key stands apart, imbued with the spirit of Aloha and the profound beauty of Hawai’i Nei.
The journey of Slack Key into the limelight began in the mid-20th century. Before the 1950s, this intimate and personal form of musical expression was primarily shared within families and communities in Hawai’i. Everything changed when Gabby “Pops” Pahinui, a pivotal figure in Hawaiian music, recorded “Hi’ilawe.” This ancient song, attributed to Sam Li’a of Waipi’o and named after the breathtaking Hi’ilawe waterfall in Waipi’o Valley, became an instant classic, showcasing Gabby’s signature Slack Key style. “Hi’ilawe” not only captured the hearts of listeners but also served as a catalyst, propelling Slack Key guitar into the public consciousness. Following Gabby’s breakthrough, the 1960s and 70s witnessed a surge in the popularity of Slack Key.
This era coincided with the Hawaiian Renaissance, a powerful movement where Hawaiians reclaimed and celebrated their cultural identity. During this vibrant period, numerous talented musicians stepped forward, sharing their Slack Key artistry through recordings and performances. Legends like Leonard Kwan, Leland “Atta” Isaacs, Fred Punahoa, the Ka’apana brothers (Nedward and Ledward), Auntie Alice Namakelua, and Peter Moon, alongside pioneers like Raymond, Sonny, and Gabby, collectively built a lasting framework for Kī Hō’alu. They transformed what was once a relatively obscure folk art into a celebrated genre within Hawaiian music, recognized for both its intimate roots and its artistic depth. These masters laid the foundation for future generations, ensuring that the soulful voice of Slack Key would continue to resonate.
Though many of these influential figures have passed on, their musical legacy continues to inspire and guide contemporary Slack Key players. These dedicated artists embrace the kuleana, the responsibility, of perpetuating this cherished tradition. As George Winston, the acclaimed pianist and founder of Dancing Cat Records, a label dedicated to Hawaiian Slack Key guitar, aptly noted, “Hawaiian Slack Key is the final frontier of the acoustic guitar.” This sentiment highlights the vast potential and ongoing evolution within this captivating guitar style.
To truly appreciate Slack Key, one must experience it firsthand, ideally in a live performance setting. Listening to the music accompanied by the stories of the players, their journeys through Hawai’i and beyond, offers a deeper connection to this unique art form. The essence of Slack Key is best conveyed through shared experiences and personal narratives, enriching the listener’s understanding and appreciation.
Delving into the Technical Aspects of Slack Key
For those intrigued by the technical intricacies of Slack Key, it’s essential to understand that it is a combination of specialized guitar tunings and a distinctive playing approach. The foundation of Slack Key lies in its diverse range of open tunings. Unlike standard guitar tuning, open tunings involve altering the string pitches so that strumming the open strings produces a chord. In Slack Key, the strings are often “slacked” or loosened from standard pitch, though they can also be tightened. This change in tuning fundamentally alters the relationship between the open strings, unlocking a wealth of new melodic and harmonic possibilities across the fretboard. Remarkably, there are literally hundreds of Slack Key tunings, each offering a unique sonic palette.
This vast array of tunings is a cornerstone of Slack Key’s versatility and expressive range. When combined with a sophisticated fingerpicking technique, Slack Key guitar achieves its signature sound. This technique involves the player simultaneously creating the bass line, rhythm, and melody, all on a single guitar. The result is a rich, full sound that indeed evokes the impression of multiple instruments playing in harmony. It is this self-accompaniment style that gives Slack Key its characteristic “three guitars in one” resonance.
While various cultures around the world utilize open tunings in their guitar music, and often colloquially refer to it as “slack key” in a general sense, Hawaiian Slack Key is distinct. The term “slack key” in its broader usage simply describes playing in open tunings. However, true Hawaiian Slack Key is not merely about the tuning itself. It is deeply intertwined with Hawaiian history, culture, and spirit. Therefore, while Slack Key guitar is typically played in open tunings, playing in an open tuning alone does not equate to playing Hawaiian Slack Key.
To truly grasp the essence of Hawaiian Slack Key, one must understand its cultural context before delving into its technical aspects. It is an art form that transcends mere technical proficiency. Hawaiian Slack Key must emanate from the soul, reflecting a deep connection to Hawai’i. This connection encompasses an understanding of Hawaiian values, a direct experience of mana (spiritual power), and the influence of kupuna (elders). Crucially, it is driven by aloha – a love for Hawai’i and a genuine desire to express that love without seeking personal recognition. This profound expression of aloha is intrinsically woven into the fabric of the music.
Without this cultural and spiritual foundation, Slack Key risks becoming simply a technical exercise, lacking the heart and soul that defines it. As the esteemed Slack Key master Uncle Ledward Ka’apana poignantly stated, “Slack Key is the way we love each other, the way we share our Aloha with each other.” This emphasizes that Slack Key is not just music; it is an embodiment of Hawaiian values and interpersonal connection.
The Three Pillars of Hawaiian Slack Key Style
Hawaiian Slack Key style, in its purest form, rests upon three fundamental elements that work in concert:
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Alternating Bass Line: This forms the rhythmic foundation of Slack Key. Typically executed by the thumb of the picking hand, the alternating bass line usually utilizes the three lowest-pitched strings of the guitar. This independent thumb technique is crucial to creating the illusion of multiple instruments and is often cited as a challenging aspect for aspiring Slack Key players to master. While some contemporary ensembles might incorporate separate bass instruments, in traditional solo Slack Key, the alternating bass is essential. Legends like Raymond Kane and Sonny Chillingworth were particularly adamant about preserving and teaching this fundamental bass technique.
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Melody Playing: The melody of a Slack Key piece is primarily carried by the fingers of the picking hand, typically on the higher-pitched strings. Slack Key melody playing often incorporates distinctive techniques such as slides up and down the fretboard, adding to its expressive character. Open chord voicings and syncopated variations interwoven with the bass line further enhance the melodic texture.
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“Faux” Rhythms: This subtle yet significant element adds depth and complexity to Slack Key. “Faux” rhythms are percussive or brush-stroke-like sounds occasionally introduced by the thumb and/or fingers of the picking hand. These rhythmic accents simulate the effect of a strumming rhythm guitar in the background, further enriching the sonic tapestry. While more prominent in the styles of masters like Gabby Pahinui and Atta Isaacs, this technique is often challenging to teach and articulate, contributing to its relative rarity among less experienced players.
The harmonious blend of these three elements – the alternating bass, melody, and faux rhythms – played simultaneously on a single guitar in an open tuning, defines the core approach to Hawaiian Slack Key guitar. It’s a sophisticated and nuanced style that demands both technical skill and a deep understanding of its cultural heritage.
The “Slacking” in Slack Key: Unlocking Resonance
The term “Kī Hō’alu” itself offers insight into the essence of this guitar style. It translates to “to slacken or relax” in Hawaiian. Intriguingly, the word “alu” also carries a hidden meaning, or kaona, suggesting “combined or acting together.” This dual meaning encapsulates a crucial aspect of Slack Key: the “slacking” of strings to create open tunings enables the elements of the music to “act together” in a unique and resonant way.
But why “slack” the strings in the first place? The primary reason for tuning to a chord, rather than standard tuning, is to minimize the need to fret chords with the fretting hand. This seemingly simple adjustment has profound implications for the sound. When a guitarist frets a string, the fingers act as dampeners, reducing the string’s resonance and sustain. However, in Slack Key, tuning to an open chord means that in the root key, the guitar can sound beautiful without constantly holding down chords. This “hands-off” approach allows the strings to ring freely and resonate fully after being struck.
This unrestrained resonance is a key element of the magic of Kī Hō’alu. The open strings create a droning effect, filling the sonic space and creating the illusion of multiple instruments. This rich, sustained sound is a hallmark of Slack Key and contributes significantly to its unique and captivating beauty. Many classic Slack Key songs, such as Gabby Pahinui’s “Kī Hō’alu” (PURE GABBY), exemplify this technique, often featuring melodies played primarily on the higher strings while the bass strings ring openly and continuously. This technique is also used to create evocative sonic textures, mimicking sounds of nature like birdsong, through quick fretting and releasing of the higher strings against the backdrop of the resonant open bass strings.
In essence, Slack Key guitar is a captivating musical tradition deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture and characterized by its unique open tunings and intricate fingerpicking style. It is more than just a way of playing guitar; it is a voice of Hawai’i, expressing aloha through resonant and soulful sounds.
