How to Dance to Reggae Music

Get your groove on with these easy steps on how to dance to reggae music.

Introduction

Reggae music is a genre of music that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term Reggae was first used to describe a style of music developed in Jamaica around 1968. It is important to note that Reggae is not simply a type of music, but rather, it is a way of life. Reggae music is characterized by its slow tempo and its emphasis on the off-beat. It often has a distinctive horn section and uses a lot of percussion.

Reggae dancing is not just about moving your body to the music, but about feeling the music and connecting with it on a deeper level. When you dance to Reggae music, you should feel the rhythm in your whole body and let it move you. You can dance Reggae alone or with others, but either way, you should let the music flow through you and guide your movements.

What is Reggae Music?

Reggae is a music genre that was developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The style is characterized by a strong beat, often created by drums and bass, and by distinctively syncopated melodies played on keyboards or guitar. Reggae singers typically use a laid-back, island-inflected style of delivery, and often incorporate elements of Rastafarianism, such as references to marijuana and to Jah (God).

The History of Reggae Music

Reggae music is a style of music that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term “reggae” is derived from the Trinidadian term “reggay,” which referred to a particular style of dancing that was popular in the Caribbean at that time. Reggae music is typically characterized by a laid-back, relaxed feeling, and its rhythm is often described as “loping.” Reggae music is often associated with the Rastafari movement, which began in Jamaica in the 1930s.

The most famous reggae artist of all time is Bob Marley, who helped bring reggae music to a global audience. Other notable reggae artists include Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, and Jimmy Cliff. Reggae music has been influence by many other genres of music, including rock, pop, and hip hop.

The Different Types of Reggae Music

There are many different types of reggae music, each with its own distinct style and sound. Here is a brief overview of some of the most popular types of reggae music:

Ska: Ska is a fast-paced type of reggae music that originated in Jamaica in the 1950s. It is characterized by its offbeat rhythm and horn-based melodies.

Rocksteady: Rocksteady is a slower, more mellow type of reggae music that developed in Jamaica in the 1960s. It is characterized by its smooth, laid-back sound.

Reggae: Reggae is a type of Jamaican popular music that developed in the 1970s. It is characterized by its heavy bassline and syncopated rhythms.

Dub: Dub is a type of reggae music that focuses on the instrumental tracks, or “dubs,” of a song. It is characterized by its heavy use of echo and reverb.

Ragga: Ragga is a type of Jamaican popular music that developed in the 1980s. It is characterized by its use of electronic instruments and samples, as well as its more aggressive lyrics.

How to Dance to Reggae Music

Reggae music is a genre of music that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. Reggae is often characterized by a 4/4 time signature, offbeat rhythms, and a recognizable sound that includes the use of the “riddim.” When dancing to reggae music, there are a few key things to keep in mind.

Skanking

The skanking reggae dance is a very popular move often associated with the music genre. Skanking is a rhythmic movements of the legs and arms, similar to running on the spot. It is often accompanied by upper body moves such as arm waving and head nodding. To dance ska, start by planting your feet shoulder-width apart with your knees slightly bent. As the music starts, begin to move your legs in a quick, side-to-side motion while keeping your upper body relatively still. You can also add in arm waves and head nods to match the beat of the music. As you get more comfortable with the ska dance, you can experiment with different leg and arm movements to find your own style.

One Drop

One Drop is the most popular and well known of all the Reggae rhythms. It gets its name from the drumbeat which consists of a “drop” on the 3rd beat of the bar. One Drop is usually danced to by couples, with the woman standing behind the man, but it can also be danced to by a solo dancer or a group of dancers. The basic steps are:

1. Step forward on the 1st beat with your left foot
2. Step together on the 2nd beat with your right foot
3. Step back on the 3rd beat with your left foot (this is where you get the “drop”)
4. Repeat

Rockers

Rockers is a style of reggae dance that originated in the late 1970s. The dance is commonly performed to roots reggae, dub and rocksteady music.

The basic steps of rockers involves swaying of the hips from side to side and shifting of weight from one foot to the other. The arms are usually kept close to the body or stretched out to the sides.

More advanced moves include pointing and kicking out with the legs, as well as various spins and turns.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many ways to enjoy dancing to reggae music. You can find your own style, or you can follow some of the guidelines outlined in this article. Remember to have fun and enjoy the music.