A wise man once told me that the words and chords written for a mele was not there on accident. It was written for a purpose, to display a certain mood, feeling or experience that was unique to the composer. However one could argue composers of old would have done much more sophisticated things with their mele if they had the knowledge and capability to do so. It's always right to be true to the composer, but i think we help benefit the legacy of the composer when we do add our own "spin" (with different instruments, modulations, light arrangements) without really taking away from how it should be sung etc. In some ways it keeps the composition still fresh. In other words, it helps sustain the life of the composer and composition even after the composer is long gone. Their songs have potential to die off when people get bored of it and thats just the nature of things. But if you absolutely try to change the whole mele and add a whole new melody and chords than that's a whole different ball game that shouldn't be reckoned with. But the real question is how do we know where the line is between creativity and hewa?....and who draws that line? Does this hinder preservation?
Here is something interesting that was told to me...When I asked renown musical artist and educator, Les Ceballos, what are some ways we can help perpetuate Hawaiian music? He replied with "learn the true melody of a song and the story then the words will make sense." This statement makes me stop and think before i attempt to sing any mele. For some, the lost of interest for Hawaiian music might be due to the limitations. The instillment of fear can make one do anything. And it's the fear of scrutiny that hold many young artists from fully perpetuating the arts. From my experience of performing music, there are times where criticism is given from notable old time musicians sitting in the audience. They come up to you and tell you after that "oh you sang that part wrong," "that chord is suppose to be an Bb not a GM." It can be discouraging at times. I humbly say "okay, thank you" and move on. There are certain new groups that are defying Hawaiian music from a traditional standpoint and going out of the box. Again, are they hewa or just creative? Some go back and forth traditional music to not so traditional. In some way shape or form, let's face it, they are helping to preserve Hawaiian music. Traditionalists like myself could have the stubborn attitude towards others "sing it right, or don't sing it at all." Don't sing it at all and Hawaiian music might become extinct. In the video below, here is an example of a group that has taken Hawaiian music to a different level. They sing and perform the intended mele a bit differently with jazz influence. They face a fair crowd of supporters and criticizers. At the same time, it isn't anything new. Remember Buddy Fo and the invitations, well here is "Kekauoha: The Jazz Project." The song they perform in this video is "ke aloha" written by Lei Collins. "Ke Aloha" is a mele mainly used for hula ku'i. This is a clear example of what some musicians that are young (maybe under the age of 30) might have the need to do to keep themselves interested in traditional Hawaiian music. They take a traditional song and make it not so traditional sounding. The intended meter and chords of this mele are much different, but the actual mele I feel would still be recognizable to most. The vocalist hasn't really changed the melody line. Take a listen....
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