News Archive 2023 Archived news of the most important kbeamer events for this year, 2023 from greater than eight months ago. The relatively new material is on our homepage at kbeamer.com… Read More
ADV-26: Pailolo (NEW!) I wrote this original guitar solo, inspired by the channel between Maui and Molokaʻi called “Pailolo”.… Read More
ADV-25: Kaliponi Slack Key kbeamer.com > Instruction > Advanced Realm > This Lesson This is a famous song both in Hawaiʻi and Japan. It has been featured on the Channel 2 Nightly News in Hawaiʻi for over 40 years. I AM NOT KIDDING. As of this writing in December 2020, they are still playing it! If you are in Hawaiʻi you can check it… Read More
Keola Beamer Winter Tour January to February 2020 Keola Beamer, Henry Kapono, Jeff Peterson, and Moanalani Beamer team up again to share their music and aloha! It’s wonderful to share music. Tour Schedule I will be touring first with my hānai son, Jeff Peterson, and my wife, hula master Moanalani Beamer. Following that, I get to tour again with my great friend Henry Kapono for our Winter Tour… Read More
ADV-21: Sweet Lei Mamo The “mamo” is the safflower or false saffron from Asia. The yellow feather-like flowers were highly prized and loved by Hawaiʻi’s people. This piece is in triple meter with its distinctive waltz feel and contains a modulation (change of key) element within the form.… Read More
ADV-20: ʻOpihi Moemoe This is a wonderful taro-patch solo written by the legendary Slack Key guitarist, Leonard Kwan. ʻOpihi Moemoe became famous as a guitar piece when Chet Akins recorded it back in the day. For many standard tuning players, this piece (and its Open G sound) was their introduction to Slack Key. Check it out! It has a great rhythm and feel.… Read More
Keola Beamer and Henry Kapono Tour January 2018 Learn more about the January 2018 tour of Keola and Moanalani Beamer with Henry Kapono in the US Mainland. See tour dates, locations, and purchase tickets.… Read More
News For July 2016 Introducing the Rehearsal Journal and two new pieces added for site members. Working on the score for a new film by director Dr. Thomas Vendetti called “Tibetan Illusion Destroyer”. An update on work at Kuamoʻo.… Read More
ADV-15: Honolulu City Lights Here are the lesson materials for Keola’s famous song, “Honolulu City Lights”. Because this is rather a special piece and close to heart of the Beamer ‘Ohana, Keola has shared three different audio files for our members, along with the tablature.… Read More
News For May 2016 Preparing for our tour in Columbia: Keola and Moanalani Beamer along with Jeff Peterson. Also updates on the ʻUkulele In Cambodia trip.… Read More
ADV-14: Ke Aliʻi Hulu Mamo & Kimo Hula In this medley, I pay tribute to the compositional genius of my great-grandmother, Helen Kapuailohia Desha Beamer (1881-1952). She is the musical backbone of the Beamer family. Tuning: Keola’s C.… Read More
ADV-13: Lei ʻAwapuhi This popular song is about of an ʻawapuhi (ginger) lei that binds two lovers securely. Royal Hawaiian bandleader Mekia Kealakai is said to have composed the melody in 1893 on a train en route to the Chicago World’s Fair. Tuning: Keola’s C… Read More
ADV-12: He Punahele Nō ʻOe This song, written by Albert Nahaleʻā (Nahale-a), has become a popular Island favorite. You often hear it being dedicated to loved ones over the radio and even at weddings or a baby’s lūʻau (dinner party). Tuning: Keola’s C.… Read More
ADV-11: ʻImi Au Iā ʻOe In a small Koa church in the small town of Kamuela, Hawaiʻi, my grandfather’s voice would carry this song. Up along the pews, reverberating against the windows. Tuning: Keola’s C.… Read More
ADV-10: Maui Waltz With sincere aloha for the place and composer, I gave this waltz for the Valley Isle by the wonderful O’ahu pianist Bob Nelson a new arrangement for kī hōʻalu. I’ve been a great admirer of Bob’s work for a lot of years. It’s really well crafted. Tuning: Keola’s C… Read More
ADV-09: Winter Tide On this original composition for solo steel string, I play in a variant of a C Major tuning: C-G-C-G-D-E. I draw my inspiration from the sights and sounds of the ocean in winter.… Read More
ADV-08: Slack Key Music Box The song reflects both my love for my wife and a musician’s heightened sensitivity to sounds. My wife, Moana, has a small collection of Hawaiian music boxes. As she gets ready for work, she enjoys lifting the lids of the little koa boxes and hearing the music waft through the house. In F Wahine tuning.… Read More
ADV-07: Liʻi’s Song Li’i’s Song is performed in the same tuning that Gabby Pahinui used for his signature piece, Hi’ilawe (the song that, for many musicians and historians, launched the modern slack key era in 1946).… Read More
ADV-06: Kalena Kai Playing with me on Kalena Kai for the recording “Wooden Boat” is my dear friend and excellent pianist/guitarist George “Keoki” Winston, who plays a wonderful second part. Tuning: Leonard’s F.… Read More
ADV-04: E Kuʻu Morning Dew I perform this piece on a nylon string acoustic guitar beginning with an original introduction. The lightly diffused hoʻopāpā (harmonics) heard in the middle and at the end delicately evoke the first blush of morning light pushing through the leaves of trees. Tuning: C Old Mauna Loa/Ni’ihau.… Read More
ADV-03: Bali Hai & Stranger In Paradise In my arrangement, played solo in a C Wahine tuning on the nylon string, the ghostlike overtones of the dream guitar are very apparent. Tuning: Keola’s C.… Read More
ADV-01: Punahele (Ray Kāne) Uncle Ray and I used to tour together in the 90’s and we developed a warm friendship. After he passed away, Elodia Kāne (Ray’s Wife) gave me permission to share this piece with my students, so it is used here with permission and with the hope that it helps keep Uncle Ray’s music alive. Tuning: Double Slack.… Read More
Site Rebuild 2016 Our website was completely rebuilt from scratch by my hānai brother, Kaliko Beamer-Trapp, following being badly hacked in early 2016.… Read More
INT-17: Ka Leileiona This is a solo Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar piece composed by Keola Beamer depicting the starlight of the Milky Way (Ka Leileiona) as seen from the Island of Maui. Level: Intermediate. Tempo: Moderate. Tuning: C Wahine or Keola’s C… Read More
INT-16: Hula Nā Lāʻau In Keola’s C (C Wahine). The key to the musicality of “Hula Nā Lāʻau” lies in the smooth execution of its manaʻo (thought, phrasing). Learn about right hand harmonics and how to play in a smooth, legato (connected) fashion. This lesson will really move your technique forward!… Read More
INT-15: Shaka Slack Key This original composition first appeared, with bass and drums, on my 1986 album, “Sweet Maui Moon”. It’s a great piece to play. On the attached recording, I overdubbed a second guitar part and added drums and bass. In Taro Patch in G and C.… Read More
INT-14: Kanaka Waiwai Uncle Johnny Almeida wrote this great song. I remember him coming over to our house and singing it to my mom when I was a boy. Uncle Johnny was a unique soul and wrote some really great music that later became some of the classics of Hawaiian music. In Leonard’s F.… Read More
INT-13: Manu Kai (Sea Bird) Manu Kai is played solo on the steel string guitar in taro patch tuning. I use my trademark “hammer-on” and “pull-off” ornaments, including discordant notes that are not heard directly but are played for a percussive effect. According to George Winston and Dancing Cat records, this was the first time these types of ornaments were recorded in this tuning.… Read More
INT-12: Roselani Blossoms The song is said to have been inspired by a lei given to a woman friend. It speaks in typically poetic language of the author’s desire to sip the delicious waters of ʻIao Valley on Maui. Lesson in F Wahine or Leonard’s F.… Read More
INT-11: Pua Lililehua In tribute to the Kahauanu Lake Trio’s stunning vocal harmony, my arrangement features two guitars as in this recording from my CD, “Soliloquy – Ka Leo O Loko”. I have also included the tablature and music for solo guitar only especially for our members.… Read More
INT-10: Moana’s Laundry Basket This is a good, solid guitar piece with an interesting character. My study notes for this piece are here in audio form. Tuning is Taro Patch G… Read More
INT-09: Holo Waʻapā My arrangement for two nylon string guitars in C Wahine tuning again features an innovative bridge, and I’ve included two versions of the tablature here, the first guitar for solo performances and then the two guitar duet arrangement as in my CD “Moe ʻUhane Kīkā”… Read More
INT-08: Kaulana Nā Pua I created this arrangement in 1971 going for a soulful feel that honors the subject and mood of the song. Because this song has such importance to our culture, I’ve included the lyrics for your study, prepared by my brother, Kaliko Beamer Trapp. Tuning used is Keola’s C or C Wahine (C-D-G-B-D-E) in the key of G. … Read More
INT-07: Kuʻu Ipo Kuʻu Lei Many Hawaiian “mele” (songs) use poetic images of flowers to express affection. The title of this traditional lovely old melody, which translates as “my beloved sweetheart, my beloved lei,” typifies this romantic custom. Learn this in Keola’s C tuning.… Read More
INT-06: Ka Makani ʻUlaʻula Ka Makani ʻUlaʻula is an original piece that I composed for the “red wind” of our home near the little town of Kamuela, Hawaiʻi. Learn this piece in Modified Taro Patch (DGDGBE).… Read More
INT-05: Wai Ulu E āwaiaulu i ke aloha (a love securely bound) is the subject of this popular mele hoʻoipoipo (love song) attributed to Lala Mahelona and George Kalelohi, Sr. You will learn it in F Wahine Tuning.… Read More
INT-04: Kapalua Bay This is my tribute to the region of Maui where I used to play music in the evenings. You will also learn the differences between kāne (male) and wahine (female) tunings.… Read More
INT-00: Intermediate Realm Introduction kbeamer.com > Instruction > Intermediate Realm > This Introduction Aloha and welcome to our Intermediate Level Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Lessons. This level of instruction consists of “repertoire pieces” or a selection of guitar pieces that are listed by their level of difficulty. One of my first revelations of the world of Kī Hōʻalu – the Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar… Read More
INT-03: Isa Lei This is a great intermediate level piece. It has a very interesting rhythmic bass line that is fun to play. My lesson notes are presented in audio form for this piece.… Read More
INT-02: Kolowaka Kolowaka is a beautiful lullaby type piece in my signature nahenahe (soft and gentle) style, exploring the idea of theme and variation. I wrote it for my students as a kind of etude. Simple on the surface, it opens up a lot of possibilities for growth and for playing one’s own variations.… Read More
INT-01: Hiʻilawe Hiʻilawe was the great slack key guitarist Gabby Pahinui’s signature song, and he recorded it several times, beginning in 1946. Here, I take an entirely different approach in his interpretation of this popular slack key piece, adding many new parts to the original melody.… Read More
ʻUkulele In Cambodia 2016 Keola organized taking music and dance education to disadvantaged children in Cambodia. Learn more about this worthwhile program.… Read More
Kuamoʻo Battlefield Purchased News and information about the purchase and perpetual preservation of the ancient Kuamoʻo battleground in Kona, Hawaiʻi island, by Aloha Kuamo‘o ‘Āina (AKA) and The Trust for Public Land.… Read More
Aloha Music Camp 2016 (Sold Out) Enjoy a week-long immersion into the music, dance, language and culture of Hawai‘i. Learn more in this posting.… Read More
Keola Beamer and Henry Kapono Tour 2016 Join Keola Beamer, Henry Kapono, and Moanalani Beamer for a set of amazing concerts in SEATTLE, PORTLAND, EUGENE, PHOENIX, LAS VEGAS, FOLSOM, BERKELEY, SANTA CRUZ, ESCONDIDO, and IRVINE, CA!… Read More
BEG-13: How To Read Tablature kbeamer.com > Instruction > Beginning Realm > This Lesson The best system of notation for the Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar is called Tablature. I was the first to use tablature for our art form when I realized its potential for kī hōʻalu. I included it in the first method book ever written for Slack Key Guitar which I wrote and… Read More
BEG-24: How To Proceed In Slack Key Guitar kbeamer.com > Instruction > Beginning Realm > This Lesson I hope you’ve enjoyed your tenure as one of my haumāna (students). If you’ve come this far with me, then you’ve experienced the joy of making the music. It is one thing to hear recordings, to follow the notes and appreciate their beauty, but it is a far more evocative experience… Read More
BEG-21: How Do We Call Aloha Into Our Lives kbeamer.com > Instruction > Beginning Realm > This Lesson It is the philosophy of the Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar that good music doesn’t come from the ego, it comes from the heart. To play with aloha in our hearts, we must learn to make the way of aloha an integral, “living” part of our own existence. Perhaps, the first step… Read More
BEG-11: A Brief History of Slack Key Guitar An Excellent History of The Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar prepared by Dancing Cat Records & George Winston… Read More
BEG-09: C Wahine Tuning Introduction kbeamer.com > Instruction > Beginning Realm > This Lesson Introduction We will start with the C Wahine Tuning, (also called “Keola’s C” because of my extensive use of this tuning over many years). It is one of the easiest and most user friendly tunings available for the Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, plus it has the added bonus of sounding very… Read More
BEG-08: Chromatic Scales Exercise kbeamer.com > Instruction > Beginning Realm > This Lesson A chromatic scale is a scale ascending and descending in half steps, the smallest interval in western music. To play a chromatic scale on the guitar, begin on the open strings. Then play the note on the first fret, second fret and third fret, continuing up to the twelfth fret, and… Read More
BEG-07: The Spider Exercise kbeamer.com > Instruction > Beginning Realm > This Lesson Left Hand Reach Development Exercise (Also known as The Spider Exercise) This is a great exercise that is VERY effective in left hand training. The movements of the fingers in this exercise are encountered in many styles of guitar playing. They are so basic and occur so often that early mastery… Read More
BEG-06: Exercises kbeamer.com > Instruction > Beginning Realm > This Lesson Introduction to Exercises When you thoroughly understand the basic playing position, the free stroke and the rest stroke, the next step is to train the right and left hands to function smoothly in preparation for the pieces in this tutorial. To this end, the more you practice these technical exercises, which… Read More
BEG-05: Fundamentals: Rest Stroke kbeamer.com > Instruction > Beginning Realm > This Lesson The rest stroke produces a substantial tone and is occasionally used to accent a melodic line. As this is an important technique, especially in the more advanced pieces, the student should acquire at least a working understanding of it. To prepare for the rest stroke, place the index finger of the… Read More
BEG-04: Fundamentals: Right Hand Technique kbeamer.com > Instruction > Beginning Realm > This Lesson There are two basic strokes for the right hand in Hawaiian Slack Key guitar: the free stroke and the rest stroke. Both must originate from a good right hand position. Most slack key is played with the free stroke which, when executed correctly, produces a clean, strong sound. Elements of the… Read More
BEG-03: Fundamentals: Basic Right Hand Position kbeamer.com > Instruction > Beginning Realm > This Lesson Bring the right hand over the sound hole and relax it completely from the wrist. Place the palm of the hand parallel to the surface of the soundboard. To achieve good sound quality, it is important to keep the hand in this relaxed position at all times. Right hand position When… Read More
BEG-02: Fundamentals: Left Hand Position kbeamer.com > Instruction > Beginning Realm > This Lesson The position of the thumb is important in left hand technique. When playing a nylon string or classical-type guitar, the thumb of the left hand should move along the center and top of the back of the neck (see left illustration). It may be placed slightly higher on the neck of… Read More
BEG-01: Fundamentals: Playing Position kbeamer.com > Instruction > Beginning Realm > This Lesson Basic Playing Position Holding the guitar properly is essential to good guitar technique. In one method the body of the guitar is held over the right leg. The right arm comes over the side of the instrument and forms a clamp with the leg so that the guitar is braced firmly… Read More
BEG-00: Beginning Realm Introduction kbeamer.com > Instruction > Beginning Realm > This Lesson Let’s review the simple tools that you will need. A guitar (nothing fancy – any guitar will do: electric, acoustic, nylon, steel string – it doesn’t matter!) PDF Reader (or similar software) to download and view my PDF tablature and music files. A modern web browser to hear me demonstrate the… Read More
ADV-02: ʻAu Kai From my recording, “Moe ‘Uhane Kīkā – Tales from the Dream Guitar”, this original of mine was inspired by the subtly swirling ocean tides of my homeland. This solo steel string guitar composition in F Wahine tuning distinctively displays many of my trademark ornaments. Tuning: Leonard’s F.… Read More
Kī Hōʻalu – Loosen The Key Kī Hōʻalu – Loosen the Key is a wonderful DVD that appears, sadly, to be out of print at this time. Learn a little more about it here.… Read More
The Shimmering The Shimmering is a book full of great stories ranging from serious and deep to very humorous and light. Learn more about it.… Read More
ADV-05: ʻElepaio Slack Key This is my sprightly original Hawaiian slack key guitar piece portraying the behavior of the Hawaiian bird (ʻelepaio) believed to be the goddess of canoe makers. Tuning: Keola’s unique F tuning (C-F-C-G-A-F).… Read More
Kolonahe – From The Gentle Wind CD Hoku Award winning slack key guitar master Keola Beamer lovingly performs thirteen of his favorite songs about or inspired by ka makani (the wind).… Read More
Mālama Ko Aloha CD With the release of Keola Beamer: Malama Ko Aloha (Keep Your Love), he has taken his genius onto the world music stage in a captivating collaboration with nine-time GRAMMY® nominee Native American flutist R. Carlos Nakai and virtuoso jazz pianist Geoffrey Keezer.… Read More
News: Mālama Ko Aloha Music Release Keola releases the music from award-winning documentary, Mālama Ko Aloha, and receives a Grammy Nomination.… Read More
News: Back From Africa News for June 1, 2015. We’re back from Africa and looking forward to Ke Ola Retreat in October.… Read More
Island Born CD This recording expresses an inspired blending of the urban and rural, the modern and the ancient. Keola artistic vision crafted this recording from equal parts tradition and innovation… Read More