How To Play The Hawaiian Steel Guitar

SKU: HL.1136474

ISBN 9781705183250. UPC: 196288113492. 9.0x12.0x0.237 inches.

This one-of-a-kind collection arranged by Fred Sokolow features accessible, must-know songs for anyone ready to start playing lap steel guitar, or any player wanting to expand their repertoire. Each song is presented in a combination of tab, standard notation, chords, and lyrics for the most popular songs lap steel players like to play. This collection features songs in several tunings, including open G, open E and C6, in these genres: country, Hawaiian, Western swing, rock/pop, folk, and blues. It also includes many transcriptions of solos by famous steel players. Songs include: Back in the Saddle Again â?¢ Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain â?¢ Can't Help Falling in Love â?¢ Crazy â?¢ Faded Love â?¢ Happy Trails â?¢ I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry â?¢ Mama Tried â?¢ (Ghost) Riders in the Sky (A Cowboy Legend) â?¢ Together Again â?¢ Waikiki â?¢ Walkin' After Midnight â?¢ Won't You Ride in My Little Red Wagon â?¢ Your Cheatin' Heart â?¢ and more.

About First 50

You've been taking lessons, you've got a few chords under your belt, and you're ready to buy a songbook. Now what? Hal Leonard has the answers in its First 50 series. The First 50 series steers new players in the right direction. These books contain easy to intermediate arrangements for must-know songs. Each arrangement is simple and streamlined, yet still captures the essence of the tune.

SKU: MB.30666M

ISBN 9781513462851. 8.75x11.75 inches.

The Hawaiian word for slack key guitar, kÄ« hōâ??alu, means to â??loosen the keyâ? or retune some of the strings to create a harmonious sound with an open or alternate tuning. Slack key is a fingerpicking style characterized by strong alternating bass lines played with the thumb. While slack key can be played on any guitar, most players prefer a nylon- or steel-stringed acoustic instrument.

This book presents 25 intermediate to advanced traditional and original tunes in the Hawaiian slack key style. Melodies are often harmonized in sixths or thirds played with or without double stops. Techniques like syncopated bass lines, hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides, and harmonics are tastefully employed to evoke the images of ocean breezes, swaying palms, hula dancers and white sandy beaches.

The author writes, â??Unless you grew up playing slack key, itâ??s hard to get from the material presented in most books and DVDs to a fluid, play-it-your-own-way style.â? This book seeks to reveal the insights the author has gleaned from studying and jamming with some of the giants of the slack key style, and help you develop a style all your own.

Includes access to online audio tracks of all 25 relaxing but challenging Hawaiian slack key tunes.

SKU: MB.99801M

ISBN 9781513460949. 8.75 x 11.75 inches.

John Fahey was a pioneer in composing and arranging guitar solos in open tunings. In this lesson series for the intermediate guitarist, John teaches a wide variety of techniques, musical textures and styles. The book includes the notation and tablature for the lessons and access to online audio featuring phrase-by-phrase instruction. LESSON ONE:  Open G tuning: On the Sunny Side of the Ocean, Spanish Two Step and It Came Upon A Midnight Clear. St. Louis Blues played in a dropped D tuning. LESSON TWO:  In this lesson John explores the possibilities of playing in an open C tuning. The Union Pacific has a distinct blues quality, Requiem For John Hurt has an Eastern feel. Simplicity often creates beauty and John does this with his version of Auld Lang Syne. LESSON THREE:  This lesson concentrates on John's slide guitar playing. Steamboat Gwine Round the Bend played in open G demonstrates many of John's unique technical ideas. The Christmas carol Silent Night is presented in the slide style. John's popular arrangement of Poor Boy A Long Way From Home played in open D tuning finishes the series.  Includes access to online audio.