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
INT-21: Mino‘aka Keola describes his reflectively wistful Taro Patch Solo -Mino’aka. This is one of his favs!… 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-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-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-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-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