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

BEG-25: Pupu Hinuhinu

kbeamer.com > Instruction > Beginning Realm > This Lesson My mother Nona Beamer wrote Pupu Hinuhinu in the 1950’s. Since then, it has been sung by generations of mothers as a lullaby. It has been the first hula of generations of hula dancers. No one has counted the number of times it has been played, adapted, and arranged for ukulele,… Read More

INT-27: Pua ʻĀhihi

kbeamer.com > Instruction > Intermediate Realm > This Lesson Maddy Lam composed this song for Kahauanu Lake as a gift to his wife, kumu hula Maiki Aiu. The song was first danced by April Peeples Chock and presented as a hoʻokupu (gift) to Maiki. Aunty Maiki loved her mele and it became the signature song of her halau. This mele… 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

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

INT-19: Kepania Paniolo (Spanish Cowboy)

kbeamer.com > Instruction > Intermediate Realm > This Lesson This is a good fun piece in C Wahine Tuning, sometimes called Keola’s C. Level: Intermediate Tempo: Moderate Tuning: C Wahine or Keola’s C Length: 3:00 50 Bars / 3 pages After you have finished this piece, go on to Puka Pants. Keola Beamer Lesson Resources Tuning: C Wahine “Keola’s C”… 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-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-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.
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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-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

BEG-10: Keola’s C Wahine Tuning Up For The First Time

kbeamer.com > Instruction > Beginning Realm > This Lesson Let’s Tune Up! To begin, tune your guitar to the normal EADGBE. If you don’t know how to tune your guitar in standard tuning don’t worry! Play the following audio file and tune your guitar to mine: C Wahine Tuning If you are tuned normally and to standard pitch, you will… 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