Someone sent me a note asking what Ki Ho'Alu is. It's Hawaiian slack-key guitar. As the name suggests, the guitars are tuned to alternate tunings. While most players use steel-stringed guitars for ki ho'alu, there are also those who prefer to use classical guitars and nylon crossovers. I usually play ki ho'alu on my LaPatrie Presentation.
To get a sampling of ki ho'alu, you can go to Pandora Radio and create a station using the artist name "Ozzie Kotani". You can also sample tracks at Dancing Cat Records.
As folk music, ki ho'alu is often taught by ear and by tablature but standard notation is slowly becoming more common.
For those who want to sample this style, the best pure beginner's book is Playing Guitar Hawaiian Style
by Ozzie Kotani. This method is written only in tablature but includes a CD. A DVD is also available directly from the artist's website and it is helpful.A good second choice is Learn to Play Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar
by Keola Beamer and Mark Nelson. This method is written in both standard notation and tablature. A CD is included.
