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Would you like more tunes analysed this way
Yes
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 100%  [ 41 ]
No
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 0%  [ 0 ]
Total Votes : 41

Author Topic:  Blue Hawaii, a version by Barney Isaacs Jr analysed
basilh


From:
United Kingdom
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2010 7:32 am    
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Blue Hawaii, a version by Barney Isaacs Jr (Alvin Kalanikau Isaacs Jr) analysed Pt.

An analysis of the technique and positions used by Barney Isaacs Jr on a version of Blue Hawaii,
an audio version of the Barney Isaacs version can be found at:- http://www.waikiki-islanders.com/assets/multimedia/mp3/09%20Blue%20Hawaii.mp3

A backing track will follow later today

Click HERE for Part 1.


Click HERE for Part 2.


Click HERE for Part 3.
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Matthew Dawson

 

From:
Portland Oregon, USA
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2010 8:33 am    
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This is really great stuff Basil. Thanks you for doing this. I appreciate the emphasis on all the little details that make the difference between just playing the melody and playing it in the Issacs Style.
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Charles Campbell

 

From:
Avon,Indiana, USA
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2010 10:56 am    
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I really enjoyed this Basil, great way to learn this song, I would like to see more.

Thanks........Charles
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Alan Brookes


From:
Brummy living in Southern California
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2010 3:35 pm    
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Great stuff, Basil. I seem to remember the first thing I ever played in front of you, four years ago, was Blue Hawaii, and it nearly brought tears to your eyes. Laughing

Nice guitar. Very Happy
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Brad Bechtel


From:
San Francisco, CA
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2010 4:05 pm    
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Nice job, Basil. Thanks for sharing it. Seeing someone actually play along with the songs makes how it's done SO much clearer. It appears as if this would be quite playable on a six string lap steel using C6th tuning.

One tiny issue, though: Although it's implied, you don't actually say what tuning you're using. Someone who doesn't see this discussion on the Steel Guitar Forum might have problems following along on their guitar (especially since you have C6 and B11 listed as keywords in the videos).
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Dave Mayes

 

From:
Oakland, Ca.
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2010 4:43 pm    
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Holy schmoly ! Thank you Basil...and thanks for all of your very generous contributions.

Like to see more of this ? Who wouldn't ?
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basilh


From:
United Kingdom
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2010 4:46 pm    
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Thanks for the Kudos guys it was done to help someone who wanted to know how Barney played it.

And Thanks for pointing it out about the tuning Brad, actually at 2:45 on video 3 when I discuss the change of necks at the end, I specifically say "At this point in time he's been playing everything in C6th, now he switches to B11, and it's the Jules Ah See B11th etc."
But I suppose it would be better to include the tuning names at the beginning.

Barney's version of the C6th was actually the C13th. E-C-A-G-E-C-Bb-C and the B11. E-C#-A-F#-D#-B-A-B

As a point of interest I worked out what strings he was playing on quite easily because his first string has a slight "whine at the bridge" and the second string has also, but with a differing tonality.
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Bill Hatcher

 

From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2010 6:34 pm    
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Baz. I did not hear any music either at 1:36 on the youtube video.. Cool
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basilh


From:
United Kingdom
Post  Posted 23 Mar 2010 3:03 pm    
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Hi Bill at 1:36 on which video ?
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Brian Henry

 

Post  Posted 23 Mar 2010 4:47 pm    
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This Isacc's version is so mournful. This song is supposed to be a happy song. Just take a listen to Reece's version - this is the way the song should sound,!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alkKf0DZpAM
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basilh


From:
United Kingdom
Post  Posted 23 Mar 2010 5:49 pm    
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Quote:
this is the way the song should sound,!!

What's that got to do with THIS thread, I have spent time putting this together as an analysis of Barney Isaacs' non pedal version, and whilst I have great admiration for Reece's playing, and the version he played in that video that is uniquely his, that's not what THIS thread is about.

Maybe YOU could analyse HIS version and start another thread about it in the pedal section.

I would disagree with you about Barney's version being mournful, also your assertion that "This is the way the song should sound" It's played at the approximate tempo, (Slowly) indicated on the original sheet music by the composer, who may have some idea about how it SHOULD sound.

I suppose Elvis' version is also too slow.
After all it is a "Romantic" Moonlight orientated love song.

AND the thread states at the beginning
"An analysis of the technique and positions used by Barney Isaacs Jr on a version of Blue Hawaii,"

The song is not the main object of the analysis so much as the technique and positional playing.
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Bill Hatcher

 

From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
Post  Posted 23 Mar 2010 6:37 pm    
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basilh wrote:
Hi Bill at 1:36 on which video ?


Girl...sand on her aXX....!
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J D Sauser


From:
Wellington, Florida
Post  Posted 23 Mar 2010 7:50 pm    
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Thanks for doing all that Basilh.
BI's indeed was an interesting version with an alternate touch.

I'm glad you presented it.

BI's playing and style is certainly worth while discussing more often.

Don't forget to post that rhythm track, please! Wink

... J-D.
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Mike Neer


From:
NJ
Post  Posted 23 Mar 2010 9:04 pm    
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Good stuff. Makes me want to play Hawaiian style, if I only could.
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John D. Carter

 

From:
Canton, Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 24 Mar 2010 4:20 am    
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Basil. Thanks for the nice post.

Your response to the inappropriate post probably was not necessary since the thoughts that are in your response had already ran through my mind (and probably most others) the first time I (we) read the (inappropriate) post.

Now, what I would find extremely helpful to what you have already posted would be a tab for 6 string to go along with what you have already given. I would love to see more of this!

It is very obvious that you have a whole lot of talent with this instrument!!
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Bill McCloskey


From:
Nanuet, NY
Post  Posted 24 Mar 2010 4:33 am    
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Nice work Basil, thanks for putting this together and sharing.
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Matthew Dawson

 

From:
Portland Oregon, USA
Post  Posted 24 Mar 2010 9:31 am    
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John, with the exception of the last two chords you can play all of this on 6 strings.
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Andy Volk


From:
Boston, MA
Post  Posted 24 Mar 2010 11:04 am    
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Baz, you are a consummate pro. Thanks once again for sharing the wealth of all your years of experience with the world at large. There are so many subtle aspects to playing steel guitar that mystify new players - like the 1st string block you demonstrated - that are virtually impossible to figure out until you've spent considerable time with the instrument. Your work has just saved people months or even years of searching.
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basilh


From:
United Kingdom
Post  Posted 24 Mar 2010 1:25 pm    
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Thanks for the appreciation guys, I've managed to eke out some time betwixt recording sessions to cobble together a backing track, albeit a little rough 'round the edges, but it does follow the same chords, feel and tempo as the Barney Isaacs one discussed.
ClicK Here
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Alan Brookes


From:
Brummy living in Southern California
Post  Posted 24 Mar 2010 3:35 pm    
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How does one download the backing track ? If it's a BIAB file could you send it over the internet ?
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basilh


From:
United Kingdom
Post  Posted 24 Mar 2010 3:56 pm    
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Hi Alan, most BIAB files are 40-60kbs, THIS file is an mp3. Right click and "Save As" navigate to wherever you want the file to be and voilà!

A double click SHOULD open the preferred media section of your browser, albeit "Windoze Media Player, Quicktime, iTunes or whatever. It's all dependant upon the preferences YOU set in your browser and computer.

OK, the file is on a server, this is the info I get from the version on my desktop:-

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George Keoki Lake


From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
Post  Posted 24 Mar 2010 8:05 pm    
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BAZ...What an amazing job you did ! Very impressive!

With all due respects to Reece, (his version is truly beautiful), nevertheless it lacks the Hawaiian "touch" which is heard in Barney's playing. The, 'you can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy' syndrome prevails. Also, pedals sure came in handy to obtain those beautiful chords.

However, as you mentioned, this was an analysis of Barney's version which you did so well !

Barney wore his picks full out...by that I mean he didn't curve them to match the tip of his fingers as many do. Barney was always very modest about his playing. We became good friends and it was always a great joy for me to back him on r/guitar.
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Benjamin Franz

 

From:
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Post  Posted 24 Mar 2010 9:59 pm    
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nice work Basil! I think the poll is a little superfluous, as I can't imagine anyone saying 'no'.
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Roy Thomson


From:
Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
Post  Posted 25 Mar 2010 6:01 am    
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Good Work Baz!
Many will appreciate your efforts
including me.

Thank you

Roy
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J D Sauser


From:
Wellington, Florida
Post  Posted 25 Mar 2010 1:29 pm    
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I think that all in all, it's a great way to teach an tune and/or interpretation into posterity: Playing the ORIGINAL first, providing good organized quality video and also a matching rhythm track.
The only thing I would suggest, is to set up the video into a player's position, instead of the viewer's.

Way to go! ... J-D.
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