"Wa'apa" is in G-wahine tuning,
which is sometimes called double slack. This is because
we normally get there in two steps. First, go to taro-patch
tuning (D G D G B D) and then tune the third string down one
half step to F#. The note to play "with aloha" at
the start of the piece is a reminder to play from the heart.
In measure 1, you can either play the D as a hammer-on from
nowhere, fretting and playing the F# note afterward, or you
can play both the D and F# notes as hammer-ons from nowhere.
I prefer the second option, but it is entirely up to you.
In measures 2 and 4 (and later), roll the ring, middle, and
index finders of your right hand to get a smooth sound from
the 16th notes. Measures 1 and 2 are a vamp that repeats several
times during the song, so spend a few minutes trying to play
them smoothly.
The melody starts in measure 5, with a
half barre in the fifth position. Barre only the treble strings
so you can play the open bass strings to accompany the high
melody. Go ahead and barre on the first beat, then reach out
for the melody notes from your half barre position. Try to
play the bass without hesitation and you'll start to express
yourself in the way of slack. That alternating bass is one
of the characteristic sounds of ki ho'alu. Keeping
that uninterrupted bass going beneath the melody is also one
of the trickiest aspects of the style. The low C is sustained
for all of measures 13 and 17. Let the eighth notes in the
melody ring together. In measures 14 and 18, hammer onto the
high G with your pinky and then pull off to the index-finger
E on the second fret.
Tune
Up (G Wahine Tuning)