2023 Kaua‘i Hawaiian Steel Guitar Symposium

This is a two-day workshop for the Hawaiian steel guitar. Two sections will be offered, limited to 15 participants in each section. All class materials (tablature and backing tracks) will be provided.

Participants are encouraged to have their own steel guitar and portable (battery operated) amplifier that they will use in their symposium class.

Starter Class
Beginners may want to take advantage of the Starter Class which is designed for people who have no experience with the Hawaiian steel guitar. Participants will work on basic technique (straight bar and slants), blocking, p-tahs, production of better tone, and tablature reading.

Steel Guitar Symposiun
Steel guitar players with some experience (accomplished beginners or intermediate players) may want to take advantage of the Steel Guitar Symposium which is designed for existing steel guitarists who have some experience on the steel guitar and would like to take their playing to the next level. Participants will work on pa‘ani (solos) and fills and how to develop background fills and pa‘ani melodies for songs ideal for jamming anywhere. Class materials: TBA including songs from the He Mele Aloha Songbook.

The Steel Guitar Symposium will focus on Hawaiian music in an intimate classroom setting. The Symposium offers an opportunity to participate and learn more about Hawaiian music and culture, and kanikapila (jam) with the group. We will explore various steel guitar tunings through popular classic Hawaiian tunes.

Symposium T-Shirt
This special limited edition T-shirt will be presented to participants of the 2023 Kaua‘i Hawaiian Steel Guitar Symposium as an acknolwedgment of your hard work and dedication. This t-shirt will be available only for Symposium participants.