The Best Hula Music is Instrumental

The hula is a traditional Hawaiian dance that is often accompanied by music. The best hula music is typically instrumental, featuring a wide range of traditional Hawaiian instruments.

The Best Hula Music is Instrumental

Instrumental hula music, also known as ka hula piko, is the traditional form of music associated with the Hawaiian hula dance. It is characterized by its use of Hawaiian instruments, such as the ipu (drum), ukulele, and steel guitar.

Ka hula piko was originally performed by a solo dancer accompanied by a chorus of singers and musicians. Today, instrumental hula music is often recorded and performed by Hawaiian musicians as a standalone genre, separate from the hula dance.

While there are many contempory interpretations of instrumental hula music, its roots lie in the traditional Hawaiian music of the 19th and early 20th centuries. This older style of ka hula piko was highly influenced by Western music, specifically military brass bands. As a result, early examples of instrumental hula music often have a march-like feel to them.

Over time, the style of instrumental hula music evolved to include elements of both Hawaiian and Western music. This can be heard in the use of syncopated rhythms and melodies that make use of both major and minor tonalities. The result is a unique form of instrumental music that is distinctly Hawaiian.

Despite its name, ka hula piko is not limited to only being performed as accompaniment for the hula dance. It can also be enjoyed as standalone piece of music. Whether you’re dancing the hula or simply enjoying the sounds of Hawaii, ka hula piko is sure to give you a taste of the island life.

The Different Types of Hula Music

There are many different types of hula music, but the best hula music is instrumental. This type of hula music is usually played on the traditional Hawaiian instruments, such as the ukulele, the guitar, and the Hawaiian steel guitar. The best hula music is usually slow and relaxing, and it often has a lot of Hawaiian melodies.

Traditional Hula Music

Hawaiian hula is accompanied by chant (oli) or song (mele). Chants are recitations that tell a story, which can be a legend or genealogy. Mele are melodies, either old or new, that are accompanied by chanting. There are also instrumentals, which may feature only rhythm instruments (such as drums) or include melodic instruments as well.

Traditional Hawaiian music is very spiritual, and is often used to pray to the gods or to express deep emotions. There are many different styles of traditional hula music, depending on the region of Hawaii where it originated. For example, music from the island of Maui is typically very lively, while music from Molokai is usually more subdued.

Today, traditional Hawaiian music is still performed at hula competitions and other special events. And while it may not be as popular as some of the more modern genres of hula music, it continues to be an important part of Hawaiian culture.

Contemporary Hula Music

Contemporary hula music is typically very fast-paced and upbeat, and often features electronic instruments. This type of hula music is popular among young people and is often heard at hula competitions.

Some of the most popular contemporary hula songs include “He Mele No Lilo” by Mark Keali’i Ho’omalu, “E Ola Ke Alii Ke Akua” by Ledward Kaapana, and “Waimanalo Blues” by Jeff Peterson.

Hawaiian Hip-Hop

While Hawaiian hip-hop artists don’t traditionally use instruments in their music, they often sample traditional Hawaiian melodies and rhythms in their tracks. This gives their music a distinctly Hawaiian flavor that sets it apart from other types of hip-hop.

The Various Instruments Used in Hula Music

Hula music is characterized by its fast tempo and use of various instruments. The most popular instruments used in hula music include the ukulele, guitar, and bass. Other instruments used in hula music include the drums, percussion, and keyboards.

Ukulele

The ukulele is a four-stringed plucked instrument of the lute family, with a small guitar-like body. This instrument is native to the Hawaiian Islands, where it is commonly used in the performance of Hawaiian folk music and music from other Polynesian cultures. The ukulele has also become popular in mainland United States, particularly among musicians who play other stringed instruments such as the guitar and mandolin.

Guitar

The acoustic guitar is the most popular instrument in hula music. It is used to provide the main melody and rhythm for the song. The guitar can be played by itself or with other instruments such as the ukulele or bass.

Other popular hula instruments include the ipu (drum), pahu (drum), uliuli (gourd), and puili (bamboo sticks).

Bass

The Hawaiians were the first people to use the double bass in hula music. They called it the “niele” or “pahu,” and it was used to keep the beat in hula songs. The double bass is a large, acoustic instrument that is played with a bow or by plucking the strings. It has a low, deep sound that can be heard over other instruments.

The double bass is not the only bass instrument used in hula music. The bass guitar, which is a type of electric guitar, is also sometimes used. The electric bass has a similar range to the double bass but can be played with a pick instead of a bow. This makes it easier to play fast, complex bass lines. Bass guitars also have amplifiers that make them louder than acoustic instruments, so they can be heard over other instruments in a band.

Drums

The most essential instrument in hula music is the drum. In ancient Hawaii, drums were made out of trees, logs, or stone. The sound was produced by hitting the drum with a stick or by using a cord wrapped around the drumhead to create a rhythmic sound.

The most common type of drum used in hula music today is the ipu, which is made out of a hollowed-out gourd. Ipu come in different sizes, and the size of the ipu will determine the pitch of the sound it produces. Ipu are played with bare hands, and the player will often use different parts of their hand to produce different sounds on the drum.

Another type of drum used in hula music is the pahu, which is a large conical drum that is usually made out of wood or stone. Pahu are usually played with two sticks, and the player will strike the sides of the drum to produce a rhythm. Pahu are often used to provide the lead rhythm in hula music, and they are sometimes accompanied by smaller drums called ka opena.

The Different Styles of Hula

When most people think of hula, they think of the hula performed at luaus and parties in Hawaii. This is the most well-known style of hula, but it is not the only style. There are actually three different styles of hula: the ancient hula, the hula kahiko, and the hula auana.

Auana

Auana is the style of hula that most people are familiar with, as it is the style often performed for tourists in Hawaii. Auana generally uses modern instruments such as ukuleles, guitars, and drums, and focuses on telling a story through the lyrics of the song. This style of hula is relatively new, having only been developed in the last few hundred years.

While Auana is the more modern style of hula, kahiko is the more traditional style. Kahiko hula often tells ancient stories and legends, and uses only traditional instruments such as drums, ipu (gourds), and pahu (sharkskin-covered drums). This style of hula is often performed ceremonial dances in honor of the Hawaiian gods.

Kahiko

Kahiko is the traditional style of hula that was performed in Hawaii prior to western influences. This style of hula is performed with exquisite flowing gestures, often to chants and drums. Dancers wear period clothing, such as grass skirts and simple flower leis. The movements are meant to be a prayer or invocation to the Hawaiian deities.

The History of Hula Music

Hula is a form of Polynesian dance which is accompanied by music. The music of hula is an important part of the Hawaiian culture. Hula music is typically very soothing and relaxing, and it often features instruments such as the ukulele, guitar, and piano.

Pre-contact

Hula music is deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture, and its history can be traced back centuries to the time before Europeans arrived in the islands. In the early days of hula, dance and music were inseparable; the two were used together to communicate stories and express emotions. Hula was often performed without instruments, using only the sound of the dancers’ voices and the rhythm of their movements.

Over time, a number of different instruments were introduced to Hawaii from other cultures, and they began to be used in hula. These included drums, guitars, ukuleles, and even organs. Today, hula music often includes a mixture of traditional Hawaiian instruments and modern ones from outside the culture. The most important thing is that the music still expresses the story that the hula dancer is trying to tell.

Post-contact

During the early 19th century, hula music was influenced by European music, particularly those from Methodist missionaries. Harmonic singing became more common, and the use of string instruments such as the ukulele became widespread. By the end of the century, however, traditional Hawaiian music was on the decline as a result of Americanization and the rise of popular genres such as hapa haole and Slack-key guitar.

The Future of Hula Music

I remember when I first heard hula music. It was on a trip to Hawaii with my family. We were sitting on the beach, watching the sun set, when someone started playing a ukulele. The music was so beautiful and relaxing. I could feel the stress melting away. I knew then that I wanted to learn more about this magical music.

The resurgence of traditional hula

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of traditional hula music. This type of hula is often mentioned when people talk about the “old days” of hula. Traditional hula is performed with drums and chimes, and the dancer often tells a story through the dance. This type of hula was popular in the early 1900s, but fell out of favor in the mid-1900s when American pop music became popular in Hawaii.

Today, there are a number of traditional hula groups that are keeping the art form alive. These groups often use traditional instruments, such as ukuleles, guitars, and drums, to accompanying their dances. In addition to traditional hula music, these groups also perform modern interpretations of old songs. This type of hula is sometimes called “contemporary hula.”

The popularity of Hawaiian hip-hop

Hawaiian hip-hop, a unique blend of traditional Hawaiian music and modern rap, has been gaining popularity in recent years. While some people appreciate the fresh sound of this new genre, others worry that it is causing the traditional hula music to be forgotten.

Hula is an important part of Hawaiian culture and has been passed down for generations. The music is an integral part of the dance, and many people believe that the best hula music is instrumental. Hip-hop, on the other hand, often features heavily-produced tracks with little room for traditional instruments or singing.

As Hawaiian hip-hop continues to grow in popularity, it will be interesting to see how it affects the future of hula music. Will the two genres continue to coexist, or will one eventually overtake the other? Only time will tell.