Final answer:
A player often creates the sliding sound characteristic of the Hawaiian steel guitar using the slide guitar technique. An unamplified guitar sounds louder due to the resonance within its body that amplifies the vibrations of the strings.
Step-by-step explanation:
A player often deliberately creates the characteristic sliding sound of the Hawaiian steel guitar. This sound is achieved through a technique known as slide guitar playing, which involves moving a metal bar or 'steel' along the strings to change the pitch while the strings are vibrating. The Hawaiian steel guitar is noted for its smooth, portamento-like transitions between notes, which is a key part of its distinctive sound.
An unamplified guitar produces sounds more intense than those of a plucked string alone due to the resonance within the body of the instrument. When a guitar string is plucked, it vibrates and transfers energy to the air inside the sounding box of the guitar, which then resonates and amplifies the sound. This amplification is enhanced by the guitar's construction and the air resonance occurring within the body of the instrument, leading to a richer and louder tone.