Hawaiian slack key guitar is one of the world’s great guitar traditions. Called ki ho‘alu in Hawaiian, it developed in the 19th century. Legend has it the first guitars were brought by cowboys imported from Alta California to deal with wild cattle. By day, the paniolo taught the Hawaiians to rope and ride, by night they serenaded them with the soft sounds of Spanish guitars...

Written in tablature and standard musical notation, Old-Time Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar features 24 of the essential instrumentals every aspiring slack key player should know. These are the classic melodies–with a couple originals–played just as you’d hear them in a backyard party kani kapila–full of interesting twists and turns, sometimes richly complex, but always nahenahe–as natural and refreshing as an ocean breeze.

Mark Kailana Nelson is an entertainer, musician and educator. His love for slack key guitar led him to travel to Hawai‘i and study with many of the masters of the art. Along with Keola Beamer, he is the author of Mel Bay’s Learn to Play Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, the first widely-available slack key instruction manual. Famed Hawaiian educator Aunty Nona Beamer gave him the Hawaiian name Kailana–Gently Floating on the Sea–and encouraged Mark to continue to teach Hawaiian music to all who wish to learn.

Includes: • Tablature and standard notation • Notes on tunings, reading music and tablature

Learn to play: Pua Lena/Kealoha/E Huli Ho’i Mai/Hula O Makee, Mauna Loa/Pauoa Liko Ka Lehua, Kowali, Paniolo Slack Key, Ku’u Lei Awapuhi Melemele (My Yellow Ginger Lei), Ahe Lau Makani, Nanea Kou Maka i ka Le’ale’a, Moloka’i Waltz, Moana Chimes, Old Timer’s Hula/Slack Key Hula, Hula Blues, Taro Patch Blues, Tiare Tahiti, Kaulana Na Pua, Playful Popoki, ‘Ulupalakua, Kanaka Waiwai, Kimo’s Slack Key, Papakolea

Suitable for intermediate guitarists. Includes access to online audio.