Polynesian and Hawaiian Music Kate Mana March 17 th , 2014 Geog 433

1. Polynesian and Hawaiian Music Kate Mana March 17th, 2014 Geog 433

2. Origins • Historical documentation does not extend past the 18th century, when Europeans arrived • Based on Protestant Missionary Hymns, string instruments and falsetto singing of Spanish-speaking Mexican cowboys, and the Portugesebraguinha (an early form of the ukulele). • Queen Liliʻuokalani (last Queen of Hawaii before monarchy was overthrown) composed many Hawaiian songs • Best known for Aloha ‘Oe • Hawaiian royal family studied under Prussian military leader Henri Berger • Ended in mix between Hawaiian folk and German folk music

4. Introduction and Innovation of String Instruments • Guitar brought by sailors, missionaries, travelers from California and Mexican cowboys • Cowboys used to control cattle and in folk music • Portugese brought Madeira form of the cavaquinho • Small four-stringed instrument • Precursor to ukulele • Hawaiians called “ukulele” which meant “jumping flea” in reference to the players quickly moving fingers • Portugese also brought steel string guitars • All three instruments quickly became popular and the slide-style of guitar playing eventually led to the invention of the electric guitar in 1931

6. In the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s, Hawaiian dance bands became more popular • Usually string quintets • Ragtime influenced and English words were used more commonly • High point of Hawaiian music popularity was between 1920-1950 • Although in 1916, Hawaiian music sold more recordings than any other style of music in America • Lani McIntyre used Hawaiian guitar sounds in mainstream music through working with Jimmie Rodgers and Bing Crosby • Hawaiian music started to be used as a tourism aspect in the 1920’s and 1930’s • Popularized by the Kodak Hula Show and the Waikiki Beachboys • Hawaiian music spread worldwide in WWII, when thousands of American men were sent to Hawaii to work at Pearl Harbour and other navy ports.

7. Modern Hawaiian Music • Iz • Most popular Hawaiian artist • Most popular song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” • The Beach Boys • While not traditional hawaiian style, popularized the ”hawaiian surfer image” and often made references to Hawaii • Tiny Tim • Used in comedic routines, but popularized the ukulele • Jason Mraz • Best known for “I’m Yours” • Uses simple chord progressions, slide guitar and ukulele • Walk off the Earth • Uses ukulele and hawaiian sounds regularly • Often used in rock and country music, • D’Yer Maker by Led Zeppelin

8. Iz • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I • Tiny Tim • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_PLWqnfFgU • Jason Mraz • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy0AmZu3xLg • Walk Off The Earth • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeDCk1Ygm8A • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNzenkoeJcY&list=ALHTd1VmZQRNqY1rm4koq9tqCFaC5n71nZ • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LM8JhvfoqdA&list=ALHTd1VmZQRNqY1rm4koq9tqCFaC5n71nZ

9. You Might Have A Hawaiian Song If: • It uses a simple 4 to 6 chord progression • Sometimes known as the “magic 4”, or the “any song” chords • It has a “light” sound • It Uses slide guitar or ukulele • It contains simple scatting or non-words

10. Questions?