The Hawaiians’ inspirations came from their majestic surroundings: the mountains, ocean, forests, valleys, waterfalls…indeed, everything around them. This may be why slack key is considered one of the most beautiful forms of music in the world.

There are different theories about the first appearance of the guitar in the Islands. However, it is known that guitars were brought to Hawaii by Mexican and Spanish cowboys called “vaqueros”, who were hired by King Kamehameha III in 1832 to teach the Hawaiians how to handle an overpopulation of cattle. 

The cattle had been brought to the islands by Captain George Vancouver as a gift for the King, and were considered KAPU (sacred) by the Hawaiians and left unharmed until their numbers became a significant problem.

When the hired cowboys returned to the mainland a few years later, some left their guitars with Hawaiian friends and families. The Hawaiians learned to tune the guitars according to what sounded beautiful to the ear, and over time, because the guitars had been left with different families, there derived methods of tuning and playing styles unique to each family.

Once Western influence became established in the islands following the arrival of the first missionaries in 1820, the Hawaiians began to experience the gradual erosion of their religion and culture. 

And as a consequence, they began to guard closely one of the last undisturbed treasures…their new-found music, with its unique style and tunings. Families regarded their music as sacred to their own family and would not share it or the tunings in which it was played with other Hawaiians who were not part of the family.

The most influential slack key guitarist in the modern era was Gabby Pahinui [1921-1980] who, in 1947, began recording his music, thus helping to revitalize and popularize the tradition of slack key. Gabby’s unique guitar techniques and style led to the guitar becoming more recognized as a solo instrument, and today slack key is shared with everyone around the world. 

Among the many notable artists are Keola Beamer (kbeamer.com), John Keawe, Cyril & Bla Pahinui (Gabby’s sons), Ozzi Kotani, Goeorge Kahumoku Jr. (kahumoku.com), Raymond Kane, Ledward Kaapana, Dennis Kamakahi, Cindy Combs, the late Sonny Chillingworth and so many more like them who can be heard on Dancing Cat Records (dancingcat.com), created in 1983 by pianist and slack key guitarist George Winston.

For more information on Slack Key Guitar music, please visit www.slackkey.com