Welcome to a Hawaiian Traditional and Modern Music Blog!

Thank you for showing interest in learning more about Hawaiian music, dance, and chant and how these art forms have made the Hawaiian culture accessible, endearing, fun and relaxing! The Hawaiian style says vacation, relax, and have fun! Enjoy!

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Hawaiian Traditional Instruments: kâ`eke `eke : made of bamboo pipes or tubes of varying lengths, this instrument is played by holding it vertically and tapping it on the ground or a mat kuolokani- large ancient timbrel drum. nî `au kan  : a harp made of thin wood    nîau  (coconut midrib).  `ohe hano ihu : a nose-flute made of bamboo that was played to accompany chants, but more popularity for romantic serenades.  pahu  : this large drum is the most important in the performance of the hula. The base of most of these drums are made from either a hollowed out coconut or breadfruit tree, and the head of the drum out of shark skin.  pahu pa`i : also a shark skin drum used during the performance of the hula. papa hehi : a foot-board that is danced on. pû  : the shell of a large triton conch or helmet shell that is used as a ceremonial trumpet. It's loud sound has been know to reach over two miles and is produc...
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Native Hawaiian Music: Mele - chant ipu heke - a double gourd drum pahu - sharkskin covered drum ipu - single gourd drum 'ili'ili - waterworn lava stone castanets 'uli'uli - feathered gourd rattles pu'li - split bamboo sticks kala'au - rhythm sticks Specific Hawaiian Dances : kahiko - older, formal kind hula 'auana - modern hula Specific Hawaiian chants : 'oli - religious chants. When accompanied by dancing and drums, its called mele hula pahu
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Traditional/ Modern Music: Slack- Key Guitar : Spanish and Mexican cowboys who worked on the numerous cattle ranches throughout Hawaii introduced the guitar to the islands. They brought a playing style that influenced the development of  kî hô 'alu (slack-key guita r) . They   say that the art of the slack-key guitar is to Hawaii' as the flamenco guitar is to Spain and the Delta blues guitar is to Mississippi. Slack-key guitar music is a uniquely Hawaiian synthesis of traditional Hawaiian vocal styles with elements of Western music. In slack-key guitar, the six strings are loosened or "slackened" to produce an open chord when strummed. This remarkable and creative style is traditionally learned by imitation, without tablature or scores.    Falsetto Singing :  Hawaiian music emphasizes the voice. Many Hawaiian songs feature falsetto, called leo ki'eki'e , a term coined in Hawaiian in 1973. Falsetto singing, most often used by men, extends th...
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