Slack Key Style `Ukulele CD

All of the music from "The Uke Buke: Learn to Play Slack Key Style `Ukulele."*

Twenty classic Hawaiian melodies arranged for ‘ukulele…slack key style.

Downl oad at Mark Kailana Nelson's FaceBook Page

"Mark "Kailana" Nelson has done it again with a beautifully produced collection of island music that I would never tire of hearing. This CD is so relaxing and is perfect for the mood I am in today. :o)

Coming to the end of another year, I can listen to this CD and count all of my blessings... and they are many. I highly recommend this CD."

Mickey Maquire, Ukulele Player Magazine

When I wrote “The Uke Buke… Learn to Play Slack Key Style ‘Ukulele” in 2010, I did not intend to record a companion CD; an omission I have heard about over and over from the many folks who have used my book to learn this sweet musical style. So you might say that this CD came about “by popular demand.”

One year after the book came out, I fired up my studio here in the Applegate Valley and got to work. Rather than simply play the arrangements exactly as written, I decided to take the original scores as points of departure, add a few extra touches here and there, and show more of the beauty of slack key style ‘ukulele.

I had a lot of fun with this CD. My goal was to create a recording that would stand up on its on; something you will want to listen to again and again. I kept the arrangements fairly simple, adding accompaniment here and there; maybe some steel, slack key guitar, or even a mandolin. But the focus is always on the `ukulele. I also wanted a CD that would help folks learn this wonderful `ukulele style.

What is slack key? Simply put, it is both a style and a repertoire. The slack key player uses open tunings and finger picking to play both melody and harmonies at the same time. But it is more than simply re-tuning your ‘ukulele. Slack key is the quintessential Hawaiian musical form. I learned it the old fashioned way, by listening and sitting in with wonderful Island musicians. Can you play slack key on the ‘ukulele? Sure, “Jus’ press.”

If you are using this CD to help you learn the style, pay attention to how the arrangements develop over time. In most cases, the first one or two times through hew closely to the published scores; from there I might add extra variations, improvised bridges, introductions, and codas. That’s what slack key style is all about; playing music from the heart. If you are listening for fun, I hope these arrangements take you on a pleasant journey. And who knows, maybe you’ll be tempted to try your hand at playing the ‘ukulele slack key style. Nothing sounds so sweet.

Like Brada Matt once told me, “I don’t care what notes you play, I just want to feel your aloha.”

Twenty classic Hawaiian melodies arranged for ‘ukulele…slack key style.

Tablature for all of the music may be found in "The Uke Buke: Learn to Play Slack Key Style ‘Ukulele"

Click on the title to hear a short audio clip:

Paniolo Slack Key
Moana Chimes
Pupu Hinuhinu/Kahuli Aku
Iesu Me Ke Kanaka Waiwai
Kealoha/Papakolea/Mauna Loa
Hula Blues
Salomila/Kimo's Slack Key
Ahe Lau Makani
‘Ulupalakua
Hi‘ilawe
‘Ukulele Dream Slack Key
He Aloha No‘o Honolulu
Slack Key Hula/Kowali/Pauoa Liko Ka Lehua
Makee Ailana
Aloha Oe

* "Ukulele Slack Key #1"may be found on my CD FunTime Uke-A-Rama