Ahe Lau Makani - Slack Key from Kailua Bay

The last reigning monarch of Hawai`i, Queen Lili`uokalani, was a prolific composer and poet. "Ahe Lau Makani" tells of the beauty of the breezes of Hawai`i, and in so doing conveys the pleasure of the presence of a beloved companion.
This waltz time piece has been a favorite of mine for years, and a song about the wind seemed perfect for a lovely day on Kailua Bay, where the tradewinds bring a profound sweetness to the air. I set up the cameras on the rise that leads to Lanikai and captured some of the kayak and canoe traffic on the bay.
I tuned the Epiphone EF-500M to taropatch tuning (open G, spelled D G D G B D from low to high), and connected the Seymour Duncan MagMic pickup through a Zoom A2 processor then recorded the audio on a Zoom H2n using the line input. Both the breeze and the passing cars made the pickup solution necessary. I captured the main video on a Panasonic Lumix GH2 and used a GoPro HD Hero2 for the timelapse view. All editing in Edius Neo.

[@Ambrosius50]

Oh well. This is what music is about, isn't it? Pure, simple and soothing. Makes me see the world and life in a better way. Thank you Fran.

[@tonyj1274]

id love to learn how to play this. love listening to you and Led as well. so much joy in your music. Tony Sydney Australia

[@franguidry]

Thank you, Tony. If you have any experience with fingerstyle playing I think you can figure out how to play this piece from the video. The main trick is to retune the guitar to open G - D G D G B D from low pitch to high. In other words, loosed the 1, 5, and 6 strings by one whole step. The song uses only three chords, G, C, and D, and by retuning you can use the open bass strings while making the chords on the three high pitched strings. Hope this helps, Fran

[@tonyj1274]

Thank you Fran. Its been a while since I've played but definitely want to learn this. My dream is to see Led and yourself play in person. There is so much joy and happiness in your music. Thank you for the music. Tony @@franguidry

[@boesposito]

I used to spend the night on that beach back in the day 'cause there weren't any flights back to the big island late at night, usually after a concert. That's a great mele for that place, it is soothing and safe feeling, mahalo.

[@franguidry]

As much as I appreciate your compliment I would put this beautiful place way ahead of my poor efforts. It's certainly inspiring to be here, I feel incredibly lucky to be able to spend time here. Fran

[@olgoat52]

Just what I need this evening. (Actually early morning.. holy crap!) Thanks much. Beautiful job.

[@hochbob]

The beauty of Hawaii is second only to the beauty of your playing. All the best, Fran and thanks for posting.

[@wjc1952]

what a lovely piece of music to wake up to. Jealous of the views you have here in this video! Mahalo, as always, for your fine music. Me ke aloha, Wanda

[@angelavillani7288]

Really nice job on Ahe Lau Makani. The setting worked beautiful with the nice tempo, relaxing and well-played.

[@PrestonDorlig]

One of my most favorite places in the world, along with some of the best kine of music - played wonderfully! Next best thing to being there. :) Thanks for sharing, Preston

[@badgermost]

Thanks a lot for the great performance

[@juddeemaxwell7590]

Beautiful! Relaxing! Peaceful! Mahalo

[@franguidry]

Mahalo to you for stopping by and commenting. Fran

[@stephenkiyan2414]

One of my favorite songs....Ahe Lau Makani.....Best versions I enjoy is from Gabby and/or Sons of Hawaii with Eddie Kamae, Moe Keala, David Rodgers, Rev. Dennis Kamakahi, and or with Gabby and Atta Isaacs....Until now, I love your rendition of this love story of the ocean breezes with your lover....Hana Hou..

[@franguidry]

I'm certainly glad you enjoyed this version of the song but I can only wish it were worthy to stand alongside the ones you mention. The beauty and breezes of Kailua Bay do inspire, though. Thank you very much. Fran

[@davidgpeterson]

Absolutely perfect.

[@franguidry]

That was a fun day. Thanks for commenting, Dave. Fran

[@terryrisberg]

Big Mahalo for spreading Aloha!

[@franguidry]

Mahalo for visiting and taking time to comment. Fran

[@terryrisberg]

@@franguidry In Wa state right now, but the asawa and I will be moving back to Hawaii over west side Wai'anae around May after our house sells here. I play Keho'alu and would consider it a real honor to meet you.

[@franguidry]

@@terryrisberg Thanks, we'll see how our year unfolds. Fran

[@TheWildlifeStudio]

Cracking in both disciplines Fran. Thanks for posting. :)

[@melebird]

Nani nui loa Fran! Mahalo for sharing here.

[@franguidry]

Thanks so much, I feel very fortunate to have found this lovely place. Fran

[@aukaimcfee2227]

Uncle you did such a nice job on the video mahalo

[@franguidry]

I would say that getting solid in one tuning is an excellent idea. The big advantage is being able to do simple arrangements of anything you can hum. Of course it's fun to explore new tunings as well, but having a home base tuning is powerful. Thanks for commenting. Fran

[@slackkeybob]

Nice playing Fran.

[@franguidry]

Thanks, Bob.

[@KailuaKid]

Good job, Fran. Very relaxing.

[@franguidry]

I'm working on "Yellow Bird" and hope to find the right setting for a little shoot. Thanks for visiting and commenting. Fran

[@franguidry]

Thank you for visiting and commenting. Fran

[@franguidry]

Mahalo as always for your kind comments, Wanda. Keep resting up, kiddo. Fran

[@TheWildlifeStudio]

Look forward to it. :)

[@Research0digo]

Absolutely beautiful, mahalo nui. - I thought she was the Princess. Do you mind if I ask how you met Led? Thank you.

[@dehlia2012]

super i love it

[@franguidry]

Thanks for stopping by. Fran

[@franguidry]

Eh, Preston, really nice job on the Beamer tune. Glad I was able to give you a bit of a Kailua fix. Fran

[@travduro833]

STAY LOVIN YOU,,,,,,,,,play on!

[@julianllew]

I enjoy your version of this tune. Did you come up with it? Many beautiful and interesting variations in there. I've been picking it out in Taro Patch and was hoping to find a solo Slack Key version of it to see how that is done and got to your video. Yours is very chill. I think I play it too fast now. It is a beautiful song. Really nice video btw.

[@franguidry]

Thanks, Paul. Yes, this is my own arrangement, just trying to play the melody and this is what came out. The tempo was just how I felt that day, but I usually don't play it as fast as some versions. Fran

[@ralphmcmullin8571]

So Fran, I've listened to several of your videos, and I believe I like the sound of the cedar top 500 better. Is the difference between the two guitars sounds as pronounced to you when playing them, or is it mostly the recording differences?

[@franguidry]

The acoustic difference is quite noticeable. The recorded sound, though, is almost always a pickup plugged into the recorder, as in this video, so you're not really hearing the sound of the guitar, you're hearing the sound of the pickup. Another very significant difference is the tuning. I have often kept the cedar topped guitar in a lower tuning, F instead of G, and that makes a very big difference in the sound of the instrument. I try to include the details of the recording in the description, so you can look at a few of them and find the ones that used mics instead of pickup if you're interested. I also try to remember to note the tuning used so you can factor that into your comparisons. Thanks for visiting and commenting, Fran

[@woollychaps]

How on earth did you avoid the foot traffic? Not to mention the noise? Great mic, I guess. Mahalo! William

[@franguidry]

Check the description - I was plugged in using a Duncan Mag Mic pickup into a Zoom A2 then into a Zoom H2n recorder. Passers-by were very thoughtful and walked behind the cameras, and I was there at a fairly quiet time. Thanks for commenting. Fran

[@franguidry]

Don't forget to get some sleep, goat. Fran