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Have you ever wondered what instruments are used in Hawaiian music? While the ukulele is probably the most iconic instrument associated with Hawaii, there are actually a wide variety of instruments used in Hawaiian music, ranging from traditional Hawaiian instruments to more modern instruments. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular instruments used in Hawaiian music.
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Traditional Hawaiian Instruments
Traditional Hawaiian music is primarily vocal and includes chanting and singing, accompanied by dance. Instruments used in Hawaiian music include the ukulele, steel guitar, organ, and drums.
The ukulele is a four-stringed instrument that originated in Portugal and was brought to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants in the late 1800s. The steel guitar is a type of slide guitar that originated in Hawaii in the late 1800s. It is played with a steel bar that is placed across the strings, which allows the player to produce a gliding sound by moving the bar up and down the strings.
The organ is a keyboard instrument that was introduced to Hawaii by American missionaries in the early 1800s. Drums are traditionally made from hollowed logs or tree trunks and covered with animal skin.
Common Hawaiian Instruments
Hawaiian music is unique and complex, integrating the sounds of the various cultures that have made the Hawaiian Islands their home over the centuries. The music is characterized by its use of slide guitar, ukulele, and steel guitar, as well as traditional instruments such as drums, victrolas, and upright bass.
Less Common Hawaiian Instruments
While the ukulele and steel guitar may be the first instruments that come to mind when you think of Hawaiian music, there are a variety of other instruments used in traditional and contemporary Hawaiian songs. Here are some of the less common Hawaiian instruments you might hear:
-`Ili`ili: Also known as river stones, these smooth, waterworn rocks are played with sticks or mallets. They produce a gentle, tinkling sound.
-Percussion Instruments: A variety of percussion instruments are used in Hawaiian music, including drums (`pahu`), `ipu heke`, `ipu hohonu`, and the gourd drum `ui`.
-String Instruments: In addition to the ukulele and steel guitar, string instruments used in Hawaiian music include the `’ukulele`, `fiddle`, `mandolin`, and `banjo`.
-Wind Instruments: Wind instruments used in Hawaiian music include the nose flute (`pūētu`), bamboo flute (`’ohe hano ihu`), conch shell trumpet (`puʻukani`), and oli (chant).
The Ukulele
Although there are many different types of Hawaiian music, the one instrument that is most associated with Hawaii is the ukulele. The ukulele is a four-stringed instrument that is typically played with the fingers. It is believed to have originated in Portugal and was brought to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants in the late 19th century.
The ukulele quickly became popular in Hawaii, and it was soon adopted by Hawaiian musicians as a staple of their music. Today, the ukulele is one of the most popular instruments in Hawaii, and it is often used in Hawaiian music.
The Steel Guitar
The steel guitar is a Hawaiian invention. The first steel guitar was built in Hawaii in 1885 by Joseph Kekuku. He was only seventeen years old at the time. Kekuku discovered that he could create a musical sound by sliding a piece of steel along the strings of his guitar while he plucked them.
The Slack Key Guitar
The slack key guitar is a type of guitar that is associated with Hawaiian music. It get its name from the fact that the strings are “slackened” or loosened, which gives the instrument a softer, more mellow sound. The slack key guitar is often played in an upright position, with the player sitting on the floor or on a stool.
There are two main types of slack key guitar: the Hawaiian steel guitar and the Mexican acoustic guitar. The Hawaiian steel guitar is played with a steel slide, while the Mexican acoustic guitar is played without a slide. Both types of instruments can be used to play Slack Key Guitar tunings.
The Bass Guitar
The bass guitar is a member of the string family of instruments and is similar in appearance to an electric or acoustic guitar. It is the largest and lowest sounding string instrument in a typical Hawaiian band. The bass guitar typically has four strings which are plucked with the fingers or a pick. The standard tuning for a bass guitar is E-A-D-G.
The Drums
Hawaiian drums come in many different shapes and sizes, but all share a common origin story. The first drums were made from hollowed-out tree trunks and covered with animal skin. These early drums were used for both religious ceremonies and as a way to communicate over long distances.
The most popular type of drum used in Hawaiian music is the ipu heke, or double-gourd drum. This drum is made from two hollowed-out gourds that are joined together and covered with animal skin. Ipu heke are typically played with the hands, but can also be played with sticks.
Other popular Hawaiian drums include the ipu kuku, or coconut drum, and the pahu, or wooden drum. Pahu are typically larger than other types of Hawaiian drums and are usually played with sticks. Coconut drums are smaller than pahu and are usually played with the hands.
Other Hawaiian Instruments
In addition to the ukulele and steel guitar, a number of other instruments are commonly used in Hawaiian music. These include the following:
Guitar – The guitar is usually played in a finger-picking style, often using a slide.
Bass – The bass provides the basic rhythmic foundation for most Hawaiian music. It is typically played with a pick.
Drums – A variety of drums are used in Hawaiian music, including the pahu (a hand drum), ipu (a gourd drum), and the Hula Kumu (a drum used in hula).
Percussion – Percussion instruments such as the Pu’ili (sticks) and Uliuli (gourds) are often used in Hawaiian music.
Brass – Trumpets, trombones, and other brass instruments are sometimes used in Hawaiian bands.
The Future of Hawaiian Music
There is no single answer, as the future of Hawaiian music is both in good hands and open to interpretation.
The Hawaiian music scene has always been vibrant, with a wide range of genres and styles being represented. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in traditional Hawaiian music, which has led to a resurgence in the popularity of instruments such as the ukulele and steel guitar. At the same time, younger generations of Hawaiian musicians are experimenting with new sounds and styles, incorporating elements of hip hop, rock, and R&B into their music.
As Hawaiian music evolves, it is likely that new genres and subgenres will continue to emerge. The only certainty is that Hawaii will remain at the forefront of innovation in this field, producing some of the most exciting and diverse music in the world.
