2025 Northern California Hawaiian Steel Guitar Symposium

This is a one-day only workshop designed for beginners and/or existing steel guitarists who have some experience on the steel guitar and would like to take their playing to the next level by learning new pieces and exploring practice strategies.

Starter Class - $100.00
Sunday, September 28, 2025, 9:00 - 11:00 AM

Discover why so many love the sound of the steel guitar
A must for beginners and great for those who need a review before going into the Symposium class. This class will cover basic technique (straight bar and forward slants), palm blocking, p-tahs, production of better tone, TAB reading. Class materials will be provided.

Symposium Class - $175.00
Sunday, September 28, 2024, 12:30 - 4:30 PM

Part 1: Make your Hawaiian steel guitar sing
The steel guitar is known for its glissandos, lilting voice and rich tones. Students will focus on two songs and explore ideas for transforming notes into "music".

Part 2: Imagine feeling empowered and more confident at the next kani ka pila
The task of the steel guitarist is to lead the group into a song, the next chord, fills gaps between music phrases and take off on an instrumental or pa‘ani upon command. In Part 2 students will be introduced to background fills, gain an understandin Class materials will be provided.

Starter Class with Symposium Class $225.00

Potluck and Kanikapila - Open to the public
Sunday, September 28, 2025, 5:30 - 7:30 PM

Join and practice what you learned. Bring your He Mele Aloha Book. ($5 per person donation will be charged to non-students to defer the cost of the hall.)