Introduction to Mele ‘Ohana (Music Family) weekly jam session at Keauhou Shopping Center stage

Mele ‘Ohana (Music Family) is an informal ‘ukulele group that meets Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8 pm at the Keauhou Shopping Center, 7 miles south of Kailua-Kona, on the central west coast of the Big Island of Hawai’i.

Read more

Peruvian Music and Instruments

The music of Peru is based on sounds from the musical roots of this ancient Andean country combined with the influences of Spanish colonial period music. There are many varieties of Peruvian music including coastal Peruvian music, traditional music from the highlands, and Peru Negro which is a fusion of traditional and afro-Caribbean themes. There is another type of popular Peruvian music that is called Huayano and is very much like Pre-Columbian music. Coastal Peruvian music has a fusion style while Andean Peruvian music is native to Peru.

Established in 1969, Peru Negro is an Afro-Peruvian style of music designed to celebrate and conserve the black culture and heritage of the Peruvian coast. It gained a reputation as it rescued conventional dance and music and became internationally recognized with the release of the album, “The Soul of Black Peru”, with songs from popular Peru Negro singers. In 2001, Time Square records released the first international recording of the song “Sangre de un Don”. At the time Peru Negro had only twelve members but has since grown to thirty, all of whom are very talented.

The charango is the national instrument of Peru and forms a major part in much Peruvian music. It has five strings and is similar to a mandolin or ukulele. It can have a harp-like quality if it is played as a plucked instrument but can have a stronger and more rhythmic sound if played as a strumming instrument.

Other instruments used in Peruvian music are lutes, guitars, bandurrias, vihuelas, pan pipes, and rattles made from llama toenails! A very simple instrument, very popular along the coast is the “Cajon” which means “box”. It is a rectangular wooden box which has a whole in to emit sound and is simply drummed with the hands while the player sits on it!
The pan pipe is an instrument made up of five or more pipes that increase gradually in size and length, based on the principle of the closed tube, which is a tube that is closed at one end and plays a single frequency. It has long been considered a popular folk instrument and has been determined to be the first mouth organ, predecessor to the pipe organ and harmonica. Materials that make up the pipes of the pipe organ are typically bamboo or giant cane but can also be wood, plastic and metal.

The bandurria is a type of chordophone which is an instrument that makes its sounds by means of vibrating strings between two points. It was used primarily in Spanish folk music and is similar to the mandolin. The modern bandurria has twelve strings which are tuned in pairs and is classified as part of the Hornbostel Sachs set of musical instruments.

The vihuela is a type of guitar or lute derived from fifteenth and sixteenth century Spain, where its “Christian” shape made it gain popularity over the lute derived from Arabia. It typically has six strings and is very comfortable to hold. Some vihuelas do not have octave stringing in the bass but many do and each design works equally as well for its sound which is very resonant and sweet and bright. Known as “chapchas”, the llama toenail rattles are a type of percussion instrument. They are worn on the wrists while playing the drums.

When in Peru you are sure to hear the sounds of pan pipes whilst in the Andes and of course the Amazon has its own styles. In addition to traditional music you will of course hear plenty of salsa, merengue and Latin pop should you choose to sample the nightlife.

Listen to Music From Hawaii

Copyright (c) 2008 Kentaro Konika

Whether you are a music fan or not, nobody can deny that the music from Hawaii is a beautiful mix of flowing lyrics and rhythms that truly capture the feeling of the islands. Listen to Hawaiian music whether you are into reggae, steel guitar, Jawaiian or slack-key – there is something for everyone!

Anyone who has ever traveled to Hawaii will know that their music is truly mesmerizing. This local scene itself was originally influenced by a number of different sources, including many countries around the beginning of the nineteenth century. Immigrants brought with them a large variety of different musical instruments, with which the Hawaiians soon developed their own distinctive style.

Most famous in Hawaiian music is the ukulele, with a distinctive sound that almost everyone can recognize. Many of the beautiful rhythms are played by this instrument, and the great thing is that they are all inspired by the beauty of the islands and as such really capture their spirit. There is no doubt that the ukulele is uplifting yet melodical when it needs to be.

In Hawaii’s history, it was King David Kalakua who supported a musical resurgence. He inspired many of the locals to create music based on their sense of pride in the islands, and as a result music started to become more and more popular and expressive of local culture.

The sounds of Hawaii, though completely unique, have a number of distinct influences. When you listen to music of the islands you will hear a combination of the styles of jazz, swing, pop, ragtime, gospel and all other kinds of western music. The music is designed for both locals and visitors to either dance to or to simply enjoy the graceful lines and beautiful lyrics. Jawaain music is growing in popularity on the islands as a distinct blend of reggae from Jamaica and more traditional Hawaiian sounds. This is perhaps one of the most popular types of music to dance to on the island, due to the fact that it incorporates many catchy melodies. However, these melodies run a little deeper and are actually written in order to spread the positive spirit of Hawaii and celebrate Hawaiian life.

If you want to listen to music of Hawaii then you can either get your hands on some records, or visit the islands for an authentic musical experience. If you tune your radio in Hawaii you will find that there are many local stations dedicated to playing strictly Hawaiian music. You may also be able to catch a live performance. There are several music festivals held in Hawaii every year, including the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, the Molokai Music Festival and Oahu’s Steel Guitar Association. When you come to stay in Hawaii this is definitely an experience not to be missed. You could even look for some hotels that put on live music performances for their guests. Whatever you do, find some way to experience this unique culture and listen to the music of the island!

Jake Shimabukuro at Moanalua Elementary School (Message and Music)

I had the wonderful opportunity to do some volunteer work, research, and collaboration, with Jake Shimabukuro and his “Music is Good Medicine” Foundation at Moanalua Elementary School on August 4. Jake does a wonderful job of utilizing the ukulele, ukulele events, and his testimony to teach principles for success to children. His three principles were practice, study hard, and remain drug free. Pretty inspirational! See more of Jake and ukulele stories at www.uketoday.info

Read more

Samoa Tsunami – “Tear Drop from God” Music Video – Polynesian Artists raise funds for tsunami….

On Tuesday, September 29, 2009, an 8.0 undersea earthquake triggered a tsunami that struck the Samoan islands, displacing thousands and killing scores of people. On Saturday, December 12, 2009, a group of Polynesians gathered at Hollywoods landmark Capitol Records studios in response to this tragedy to record a song, Teardrop from God. Our hope is that through music—through this charity single, written, produced, performed and recorded entirely by Polynesians—we can become the change we want to see in this world. In other words, Polynesians Changing the World through song, through action, and through culture. The scene that day was all about unity, peace, and love. A group of Polynesians, a choir united with one voice, gathering on behalf of a cause larger than themselves, for a song of their own making at the iconic Capitol Records building, inside legendary recording Studio A, where world-famous artists and groups have recorded countless classic songs and albums. The list of talent is a long and storied one: Frank Sinatra, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Pink Floyd, Natalie Cole, Diana Ross, Judy Garland, Tina Turner, Queen, Les Paul, Bonnie Raitt, to name a few, as well as other recent, major artists like Coldplay, Ice Cube, Snoop Dog, Nelly, the Beastie Boys, Radiohead, Liz Phair, Janes Addiction, MC Hammer, and many more. And now, you can add these names to that famous list. That was, however, only the first step. Our goal for the Teardrop from God Charity Single is to …

Read more

Hawaiian Music – Kaukahi- Life In These Islands

Award Winning Hawaiian Music Group Kaukahi sings their song “Life In These Islands” Download this song NOW at IslandBeats.com or click here www.islandbeats.com

Read more

Ukulele Music “Japanese folk song Sohran Bushi” ???????

Japanese traditional Hokkaido folk song. ????????????????

Read more

Polynesian Music – Tevaka- Lua afe Music Video

Download this song NOW at IslandBeats.com or www.islandbeats.com

Read more

Victoria Vox “Jessica” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

Produced by NorthCoast Productions, Green Bay, WI “Jessica” is from the 2008 release Chameleon by Victoria Vox. Refreshingly modern “ukulele music”. Filmed in Green Bay, WI in August 2009. Victoria Vox is sponsored by KoAloha Ukuleles and plays her custom Ebony / Spruce Pineapple Sunday in this video. artist: Victoria Vox song: Jessica © 2008 OBUS Music / Victoria Vox (ASCAP)

Read more

Hawaiian Music- Island Boy-Ilona Irvine & Ryan Hiraoka

Download this song NOW at IslandBeats.com or www.islandbeats.com

Read more

Next Page »