As seen in Guitar Girl MagazineGuitar Girl Magazine Special Edition– I Belong– July 2023
Aloha! My name is Noelani Manamiand I’m a Hawai’i-born poet, manufacturer, and songwriter based in Atlanta. I’ve been playing guitar for practically 20 years now. I have many musical affects it’s so tough to select! If I had to narrow it down, it ‘d be Flyleaf and Frank Ocean music style-wise and Dickey Betts for guitar motivation. I’m presently dealing with my launching EP, consisted of tunes I have actually composed in the last month. It’s been an uncomfortable journey, however turning discomfort into art is among the bravest and most gorgeous things we, as artists, can do.
What is your meaning of tone, and how has it altered for many years?
Tone, for me, is a color, an expression, a sharing of your soul that can be as subtle or advanced as you desire. I’m a part-time chef now, which’s assisted to affect how I see my tone; I craft my tone like I craft my meals. I deal with every impact and specification of active ingredients, spices, and flavorings to prepare the most gratifying meal: the meal’s taste (tone). Depending upon the “meal,” in some cases I keep it easy and light; other times I go heavy with the spices. I like some hot noises, lol!
Which guitars, amps, and pedals are you presently utilizing and why?
I’ve played my faithful PRS SE Custom 24 for 10 years, and she’s never ever let me down. I might talk constantly for pedals, and it would take excessive area even to note my board setups, however my go-to is a mix of my Fulltone OCD, Keeley 4 Knob Compressor, Electro-Harmonix Memory Boy, and Hardwire RV7. I’m a sucker for analog noises. Every pedal I own, other than 2, are all analog. I typically like my tone to taste like Birria: substantial, warm, abundant, and spicy. The fat and shimmering resonance I obtain from this setup is so rewarding.
What about strings?
I like the Elixir Nanoweb.10 -.46 gauge. I choose a little bite and like to go into my strings when I play. These last me quite well for mediums.
Exist particular taping methods you choose in the studio?
I like to mic the neck and have an additional space mic and amp mic. I like the natural noises of moving down stresses, hands grazing over strings, and selects nicking the body. I move a lot while playing too, which’s part of the enthusiasm I wish to discover in recordings.
How do you keep your noise constant onstage?
A LOT of practice. I’ll invest hours leading up to a program dialing in my tone, remembering pedal mixes, and simply getting comfy to base on one leg to push whatever. All my practice for many years has actually brought me to a location where I’m so gotten in touch with my guitar and board that getting them to sound a particular method is force of habit.
What does your practice include?
I utilized to practice for 5 to 6 hours each and every single day. I was head over heels in love! I could not get enough, and time would simply vanish from me. Now I’m hectic adulting, working 2 tasks beyond music to pay my costs, so I’m down to 20 minutes daily. Those 20 minutes keep me constant, and if I have a program, I’ll prioritize my practice and utilize my off days to get 3 to 4 hours in, so I’m constantly all set to go.
What is your guidance for young artists who want to operate in the music market?
Keep in mind, every note you play in practice now contributes to your structure for a wonderful future later on. Every chance you can practice, take it! You can constantly discover something, even if it’s jamming to music you typically do not like or listen to. And keep putting yourself out there! Opportunities do not originate from seclusion; they originate from connection. Some individuals will decline you, and some will cut you off for attempting, however my mantra is: Love constantly, feel whatever. The best connections at the correct time will constantly take place. You’ll do terrific things if you do not quit.