What does "slack-key" mean?

(of a string instrument or a manner of playing one) Performed with loosened strings, such that all of the strings play in the same key (most often G major).

Slack-key

adj

adj ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Adjective

1
(of a string instrument or a manner of playing one) Performed with loosened strings, such that all of the strings play in the same key (most often G major). not-comparable
"Spanish-style guitars played in the standard position, though probably in altered tunings slack-key fashion."

Example

More examples

"Spanish-style guitars played in the standard position, though probably in altered tunings slack-key fashion."

Etymology

From a translation of the Hawaiian kī hōʻalu (“loosen the [tuning] key”).

More for "slack-key"

Synonyms Sentences Pronunciation Translate

Next best steps

Find stronger synonyms See usage examples Check pronunciation Browse writing guides

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.