Introduction

"Hula Nā Lāʻau" means, “The Dancing Trees”. I was looking out the window one day, watching the tradewinds blow through the coconut fronds. Throughout Polynesia, the sound the coconut leaves make when the wind blows through them is exquisite. It is somewhat like a soft rattling.

The key to the musicality of "Hula Nā Lāʻau" lies in the smooth execution of its manaʻo (thought, phrasing). It will sound wonderful if the RH harmonics project and the entire piece is played in a smooth, legato (connected) fashion.

• Level: Intermediate
• Tempo: Moderate
• Tuning: C Wahine or Keola's C
• Length: 2:13
• 52 Bars / 4 pages

This detailed lesson is for members of kbeamer.com. Listed below are some of the guitar techniques covered in this lesson:

• slurs (ascending and descending) and hammer-ons
• right-hand harmonics (artificial harmonics) in kī hōʻalu
• playing and sustaining melody
• hinge bars (partial bars)
• connecting notes as an important paradigm
• remembering to breathe

Learn more and join now!

After you have finished this piece, go on to Ka Leileiona.

Keola Beamer