"Beautiful Kaua`i" in taropatch tuning

[Fran Guidry]

I guess it's been a tough winter between the cold and rain, sweetheart in the hospital, and the world's most persistent cold/flu bug. I just realized that I haven't posted a slack key video since we left Hawai`i last year, and now we're gearing up to go back. Clearly time to shoot a tune!

The song I've been noodling on lately is a simple but charming one written by Randy Farden (nephew of Auntie Irmgard), "Beautiful Kaua`i." I set up in the newly redecorated guest bedroom so I could try a different light and feature the bamboo futon cover:



The guitar is my Yamamoto OMY tuned to taropatch open G (D G D G B D). I recorded the audio using the XY mic module on my Zoom H6 and used the track without any effects or EQ. Cameras are a pair of Panasonic Lumix GH4s, editing in Edius 8.

Fran

[jonnyd]

Fran,
I always enjoy your playing.
I hace been on the slack key path for the last sis or seven years.
Difficult to vocalize the joy it brings me.
I live in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Not a great number of slack key players here. (understatement)
Thank you,
JonnyD

[Gcunplugged]

Fran, thanks for sharing and glad you're back in the studio, er, um, bedroom!

Another great tune, and you can expect I'll be hassling you for the music soon. Just kidding, I might be able to work this one out by ear.

Thanks again,
Gary

[Glennwillow]

Fran,

Thanks for that! Very nice, very well done! I always enjoy hearing you play!

- Glenn

[rick-slo]

Relaxing, peaceful music. Thanks for continuing to share it.

[RodB]

Thanks for sharing this Fran, relaxing and lovely melody. I like your style - Brought out a smile here too.

[JeffaOM1]

I hope you and your wife are doing well. I enjoy your playing and arrangements. Thanks for sharing.

[JMFingerstyle]

Wonderful, Fran! Thanks very much for posting that....and yes, that futon cover makes a great backdrop!

[Riakstonic]

Enjoyed that thanks . I looked up your builder interesting designs there's was one guitar that caught my ear can't remember but I think it was a OOO with a full beveled back the guy playing it was doing a Tommy Emmanuel song . I thought it sounded great

[mesa]

Just lovely, Fran. Always a pleasure!

[Fran Guidry]

I'm a bit whelmed by the comments - I'm wondering if I should start waiting a year between videos. Thank you all for your kindness.

Fran

[Fran Guidry]

Originally Posted by jonnyd

Fran,
I always enjoy your playing.
I hace been on the slack key path for the last sis or seven years.
Difficult to vocalize the joy it brings me.
I live in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Not a great number of slack key players here. (understatement)
Thank you,
JonnyD

Thanks so much. Hearing from others who've taken up this style is always gratifying.

Fran

[Fran Guidry]

Originally Posted by Gcunplugged

Fran, thanks for sharing and glad you're back in the studio, er, um, bedroom!

Another great tune, and you can expect I'll be hassling you for the music soon. Just kidding, I might be able to work this one out by ear.

Thanks again,
Gary

Gary, check out the Don Ho version on Youtube. He states the melody very plainly, and the band plays the simplest chords. Once you can hum it you can play it.

Fran

[Fran Guidry]

Originally Posted by Glennwillow

Fran,

Thanks for that! Very nice, very well done! I always enjoy hearing you play!

- Glenn

Thank you, Glenn.

Fran

[Fran Guidry]

Originally Posted by rick-slo

Relaxing, peaceful music. Thanks for continuing to share it.

Thanks, Derek. I was thinking of you when I shot my 12th version of this one - you actually learn a piece, so each time you play it you get better. I fake it and do something different each time, so the last take is barely better than the first one, in either arrangement or performance. I need to push myself to move more in your direction.

Fran