Rhiannon Hendricks
The Hawaiian Wedding Song, originally titled Ke Kali Nei Au (Waiting There for Thee), was written by Charles E. King and first recorded in Hawaiian by Helen Desha Beamer in 1926. Since then, it has been covered by many artists, including Elvis Presley, Genoa Keawe, Gary Aiko, Nina Keali'iwahamana, Barney Isaacs Jr., and Jerry Byrd. The song is a popular choice for weddings, especially in Hawaii, and can be played on various instruments, including the guitar, steel guitar, and ukulele. Learning to play the song on the guitar can be a great way to add a touch of Hawaiian flavour to a wedding or simply to enjoy the beautiful melody.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chords | G, D7, G, G7, C, G, B7, Em, A7, D7, G, E7, A7, D7, G, Am, D7, G, E7, A7, U--a, si-la, D7, G, Pa-a ia me o-e, G, Am, Ko a-lo-ha ma-ka-mae i-po, D7, G, Ka-'u ia e lei a-e nei la, G, G7, C, A7, D7, G, E7, A7, D7 |
| Tuning | E9 |
| Notes | 6th tones |
| Fret | 18th |
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Guitar chords
To play the Hawaiian Wedding Song on the guitar, you will need to know several chords. The song is in the key of G, so you will use the G major chord as your starting point. The chords used in the song include D7, G, G7, C, B7, Em, A7, E7, Am, and D.
G D7 G G7
C G
G B7 Em
A7 D7
And for the chorus:
G E7 A7
D7 G
G Am
D7 G
G E7 A7
D7 G
The bridge has a slightly different chord progression:
G G7 C
A7 D7
G E7 A7
D7 G
You can strum these chords in a simple 4/4 time signature, following the rhythm of the lyrics. Practice changing between the chords smoothly and in time with the music.
There is also a repeat at the end of the song, where you play the chorus again but with a slight variation in the lyrics and chord progression:
G E7 A7
D7 G
I do love you with all my heart
G E7 A7
D7 G
Remember to practice each section individually before putting the entire song together, and ensure you are comfortable with the chord shapes and transitions.
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Tuning and pedals
To play the Hawaiian Wedding Song on the guitar with the right tuning and pedals, you should consider using the E9th tuning. This tuning is commonly associated with Hawaiian music and can provide the authentic sound you are looking for.
When it comes to pedals, the advice from experienced guitarists is to keep it simple. Avoid using too many pedals, as it can make your performance sound cluttered and take away from the beauty of the song. Instead, focus on playing simple and pretty melodies that complement the romantic atmosphere of the Hawaiian Wedding Song.
If you want to add some pedal effects, a subtle use of the 6th pedal can work well for a Hawaiian sound. This can help you create a mellow, wooden tone that is characteristic of traditional Hawaiian music. However, be cautious not to fall into the trap of overusing the E9 twang and ringing scale patterns on strings 1 & 2, as this can make your performance sound cliché.
Additionally, consider the type of guitar you are using. The pedal steel guitar is commonly associated with Hawaiian music and can provide the authentic sound you are aiming for. However, you can also try playing the song on a non-pedal steel guitar, as suggested by one guitarist, to explore a different style.
Remember, the key is to keep your pedal use minimal and tasteful, letting the melody and sentiment of the Hawaiian Wedding Song shine through.
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Sheet music
The Hawaiian Wedding Song is a popular choice for guitarists looking to play some traditional Hawaiian music. The song has been covered by many artists, including Elvis Presley and Andy Williams.
For a more authentic Hawaiian sound, the song can be played on a pedal steel guitar, focusing on 6th chords and simple, pretty melodies. This can be achieved by holding down the pedals and picking near the 18th fret to get a mellow wooden tone.
Additionally, there is also a tabbed-out version of the song available for the E9th tuning, which can be obtained by providing an email address.
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Strumming pattern
To play the Hawaiian Wedding Song on the guitar, you must first learn the basics of strumming. Strumming is an essential part of playing the ukulele, giving it that distinct Hawaiian-island sound. The same goes for the guitar—playing the fretboard along with strumming patterns stimulates musical coordination.
There are many different ways to start learning basic strumming patterns on the guitar. The most common time in all music is the 4/4 ("four-four") time signature. This means that, in one bar of music, you can count "1, 2, 3, 4," and it fits right into one complete strum pattern. You can start by strumming openly without fretwork, but it may not sound Hawaiian enough. It is more fun to play C chords from the jump. The most common and traditional way of strumming is by using your index finger. With your right hand just over the sound hole of the instrument, strum down with the index finger, hitting the strings with your nail. You can strum down with the nail of the right index finger, and then strum up with the fleshy tip. This is not the sole technique; guitar players who are used to picks will instinctively hold an invisible pick between their thumbs and index fingers, thus strumming with their nails but never with their fingertips.
There are two basic strumming patterns that you can practice. The key is to play them at different tempos. The first pattern is: Down, skip beat, down-up, skip beat, up-down. The second pattern is: Down, skip beat, down-up, skip beat, up-down-up. You can start by playing these patterns slowly, then gradually increasing the tempo.
Another strumming pattern that you can try is the mele, a rhythmic poem that features vocals punctuated by strumming that is more complicated than hula dance music. The tempo can vary, but the strum often goes: Down-up-up-down without skipping beats. You can start with a slow tempo and then gradually increase the speed.
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Fingerstyle
To play the Hawaiian Wedding Song on a guitar using fingerstyle, there are several approaches you can take. This romantic piece, originally a 1926 love song called "Ke Kali Nei Au" (Waiting There for Thee), was written by Charles E. King and has a free flow of rhythm and tempo, or "rubato," which can be challenging to play without sounding off-beat. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you learn this song in fingerstyle:
Understand the Musical Challenge: The main challenge of this piece is not technical but musical. To master the song, you need to know where the phrases are and lead your chord resolutions properly. This requires a good understanding of the structure and flow of the music.
Practice the Difficult Passages: While the song is not technically demanding, there are a few tricky passages that will require some extra practice. Familiarize yourself with these sections and plan ahead to be prepared for the upcoming passages. Some fingerings may require you to think ahead and be ready to shift your hand positions smoothly.
Use Appropriate Tempo and Rhythm: As the song has a free flow of tempo and rhythm, it's essential to maintain a steady beat while capturing the intended feel of the music. Practice playing with a metronome to help you internalize the rhythm and ensure you don't stray off-beat.
Estimate Your Learning Time: Depending on your skill level, learning this piece can take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks. Be patient with yourself and practice regularly to improve your fingerstyle technique and overall musicality.
Find Resources and Tutorials: There are various resources available online, such as tutorials, tablatures (tabs), and video lessons, that can guide you through playing the Hawaiian Wedding Song on the guitar using fingerstyle. These resources can provide you with visual and step-by-step instructions to enhance your learning experience. Try to play it like a non-pedal steel, keeping it simple and using 6th chords.
Remember to enjoy the process of learning this beautiful song. With dedication and practice, you'll be able to play the Hawaiian Wedding Song on the guitar using fingerstyle, adding a touch of Hawaiian romance to your repertoire.
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Frequently asked questions
The chords for the Elvis Presley version of the song are G, D7, G, G7, C, G, B7, Em, A7, D7, G, E7, and A7.
The original name of the song is "Ke Kali Nei Aua", which translates to "Waiting There for Thee".
The song was originally composed as a duet, with a male and female singer, and featured a lot of steel guitar.
It is recommended to play simple and pretty, avoiding the use of pedals and the E9 twang sound. Focus on the style and notes, and use your 6th tones a lot.
