George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 21 Mar 2003 10:39 pm |
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As Roy stated, it's the A Major tuning, (low bass). This is the most basic of the Hawaiian Guitar tunings. There were dozens of method books published during the thirties and forties covering this tuning...(Kamiki, Wm J. Smith, Bronson, and a host of others).
It was ideal for those who loved to play the melody and accompany themselves on rhythm at the same time...only one 'major' flaw, (no pun intended)... all the songs were played in the key of "A". Of course, it was virtually impossible to play that style if there were any other chords in the song other than monotonous 'major' chords.
Styles soon changed when 'better' tunings came along...the E Major, (or E7th), C#m6th, F#9, D9, et al. Eventually the C6th, (Am7th) seemed to gain the widest response and popularity. The old A Major tuning is seldom used anymore, although when tuned down a tone, it becomes the G Major which is still favored by many bluegrass steel guitarists. I'm sure there must be many out there, (like myself), who started out with a flat top guitar tuned to the A major tuning. |
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