Music Man for Reggae?

A look at the life and work of the man who is considered by many to be the father of reggae music.

The Basics of Reggae

Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term reggae refers to the African-Jamaican style of music that was influenced by ska, rocksteady, and British jazz. Reggae is characterised by a strongbeat and is often considered to be a One Drop rhythm.

Defining Reggae

Reggae is a genre of music that developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. It is a form of popular music that incorporates elements of Caribbean Mento and Calypso, as well as American Jazz and R&B. Reggae is typically characterized by a 4/4 time signature, offbeat rhythms, and Collins. The genre also became popular in other countries, including the UK, where it developed into Lovers rock and dub reggae.

Where Did Reggae Come From?

Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The word reggae comes from “raggedy,” which is how people described the music at first. Reggae is usually played on guitars, bass, drums, and keyboards, with a lot of emphasis on the rhythm. The lyrics are often about life, love, and religion.

Reggae has its roots in ska and rocksteady, two other genres of music that came out of Jamaica in the 1960s. Ska was the first Jamaican pop music sound and it was influenced by American jazz and rhythm and blues. Rocksteady was the next stage in the development of reggae. It was slower than ska and had a more relaxed feel to it. Reggae developed from rocksteady in the late 1960s.

Reggae became popular around the world in the 1970s, thanks to musicians like Bob Marley, who is often considered the king of reggae. Marley’s band, The Wailers, released several hits during this time period, including “No Woman No Cry,” “Exodus,” and “Redemption Song.”

The Origins of Reggae

Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term reggae is derived from the word “rege” which means “rags” or “ragged clothing.” Reggae is a style of music that is heavily influenced by traditional Jamaican folk music, as well as American jazz and rhythm and blues. Reggae typically features a heavy bassline, electric guitar, drums, and horns. The lyrics of reggae songs are often spiritual or political in nature.

Reggae music first gained international attention in the early 1970s with the release of musician Bob Marley’s album, Catch a Fire. Marley’s unique style of singing and songwriting, as well as his controversial political and spiritual beliefs, helped to make reggae one of the most popular and influential music genres in the world. Today, there are many different subgenres of reggae music, including roots reggae, ska, dub, and dancehall.

The Instruments of Reggae

The instruments used in reggae music are what give the music its signature sound. The most important instrument in reggae is the drums. The drums provide the beat that other instruments follow. The bass is another important instrument in reggae. It often carries the melody of the song. The keyboard or piano is also used in reggae. It usually plays chords that support the bass and drums.

The Drums of Reggae

While there are many different types of drums used in reggae, the most iconic is the Jamaican “talking drum,” which is used to imitate the sound of speech. This drum, also known as the “timekeeper” of reggae, is essential to keeping the rhythm of the music. Other drums used in reggae include the snare drum, bass drum, tom-toms, and bongos.

The Bass of Reggae

The bass is the linchpin of the reggae rhythm section, providing both a deep, abiding sense of foundation and, at its best, a magnificent groove that drives the music. In many ways, it’s the heart of reggae. The key to understanding reggae bass is to realize that it’s all about the groove. The pulse is steadier and more constant than in other popular music styles, giving reggae its characteristic “laid-back” feel. And while the bass lines are often quite simple, they are also very effective in supporting the rhythm guitar and drums.

There are two main types of bass in reggae: the roots style and the rub-a-dub style. Each has its own distinct flavor and each adds its own unique flavor to the music.

Roots style bass is typified by a deep, almost Jaws-like rumble that provides a strong foundation for the rest of the band. This style developed during the late 1960s and early 1970s, when reggae was first becoming popular outside of Jamaica. The most famous exponent of roots style bass is Aston “Family Man” Barrett of Bob Marley & The Wailers fame. Barrett’s playing was heavily influenced by James Brown’s funk grooves, and he quickly became known for his own distinctive brand of “chank-a-chank” bass playing. Other well-known roots style bassists include Lloyd Parks, Robbie Shakespeare, Chris Meredith, Anthony “Benbow” Creary, Winston Grennan, Fully Fullwood, and Flabba Holt.

Rub-a-dub style bass is typified by a more staccato sound with less sustain than roots stylebass. It first became popular in the mid-1970s as part of the new rub-a-dub sound that was emerging from Jamaica at that time. The most famous exponent of this style is probably Family Man’s brother Carlton Barrett, who played with Bob Marley & The Wailers from 1974 until Marley’s death in 1981. Other well-known rub-a-dub style bassists include Sly Dunbar, Style Scott, Robbie Shakespeare (who sometimes played in this style as well), Fully Fullwood, Aston Family Man Barrett (who sometimes played in this style as well), Anthony Chinna Smith, and Flabba Holt.

The Guitar of Reggae

The guitar is the most important instrument in reggae. Most songs are built around a guitar riff, which is then accompanied by bass and drums. The guitar provides the main melody and also the chords that define the key of the song. While it is not necessary to be a virtuoso player to write great reggae tunes, it is important to have a good understanding of basic chord shapes and how to play them with a percussive strumming style.

Rhythm guitar in reggae is usually played with a pick, though some players use their thumb or fingers. The right hand technique generally consists of a down-stroke on the beat and an upstroke on the “and” counts. For example, if the tempo is 120 beats per minute (bpm), the guitar would strum down on beats 1 and 3, and up on the “and” counts 2 and 4. This can be varied slightly, but the main thing is to keep a consistent pulse going.

Lead guitar in reggae often takes the form of single note lines or simple chord melodies. Reggae lead lines are usually fairly melodic, often making use of “Skank” rhythms wherein two notes are played per beat instead of just one. When playing chords, it is common to leave out the root note (the note that gives its name to the chord) so that only the upper notes are sounded. This gives chords a more open feel which works well with the laid-back vibe of most reggae tunes.

The Keyboard of Reggae

Reggae is unique in that it is one of the few genres of music played almost exclusively on the keyboard. The piano is the primary instrument, but the organ and synthesizer are also common. The keyboard provides the foundation for the rhythm, melody, and harmony of a reggae song.

Reggae pianists use a variety of techniques to create their distinctive sound. One of the most important is the “bounce.” This is a percussive technique in which the pianist hits the keys with the palm of their hand to create a rhythmic “bounce.” Another common technique is called “chop chords.” This involves playing two or more notes at the same time to create a harmony. Reggae pianists also often use “riffs” – short, repeating phrases that become synonymous with a particular song.

The keyboard is such an important part of reggae that many famous reggae songs are named after specific keyboardists. Augustus Pablo’s “Java” and Jackie Mittoo’s “The Attack” are two examples. If you’re interested in learning more about reggae keyboard playing, there are many great instructional books and videos available.

The Sound of Reggae

Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term reggae was first used in print in 1968, in a music column in The Daily Gleaner. Reggae is characterized by a strong rhythmic anchor with offbeat accents, typically in 6/8 time. Reggae is usually slower than ska but faster than rocksteady.

The Ska

Ska is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues. It is characterized by a walking bass line accented with rhythms on the off beat. In the early 1960s, ska was the dominant music genre of Jamaica and was popular with British mods. Later it became popular with many skinheads.

There are several subgenres of ska, including two-tone, rocksteady, ska punk, mento-ska, roots reggae, dub, and Instrumental ska.

The Rocksteady

The rocksteady is a subgenre of reggae that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term “rocksteady” comes from a style of dance that was popular at the time. This type of music is characterized by its slow, melancholy feel and its focus on the vocals rather than the instruments.

The rocksteady sound was created by slowing down the tempo of ska music and adding more emphasis on the offbeat. This gave the music a more laid-back feel that was perfect for dancing. The bass lines are often syncopated, and the drums are played on the offbeat to create a jerky, staccato sound.

The first rocksteady song is believed to be “Hold Me Tight” by Alton Ellis. This song was released in 1967 and quickly became a hit in Jamaica. Other early rocksteady hits include “Do the Rock Steady” by The Paragons and “Rock Steady Baby” by Hopeton Lewis.

The rocksteady sound eventually fell out of favor in Jamaica in favor of reggae, but it has remained popular among Jamaican expatriates in Britain and North America. Rocksteady has also had a significant influence on modern reggae artists such as Sean Paul and Shaggy.

The Reggae

Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term reggae encompasses a wide variety of Jamaican musical styles, including ska, rocksteady, dub, and dancehall. Reggae is often characterized by a 4/4 time signature, offbeat rhythms, and lead guitar or piano melodies.

Reggae has its roots in African and Caribbean music, and its popularity has spread to countries all over the world. In Jamaica, reggae is often used as a form of protest against social injustice. Reggae artists such as Bob Marley, Lee “Scratch” Perry, and Burning Spear are some of the most well-known and respected musicians in the genre.

The Legends of Reggae

As the sun set on a Monday evening, the strains of Bob Marley’s voice and guitar echoed through the streets of Kingston, Jamaica. The people of the city soon joined in, singing and clapping along with the music. This is the sound of reggae, a genre of music that has its roots in this island nation.

Bob Marley

Bob Marley is one of the most famous reggae musicians of all time. He was born in Jamaica in 1945 and began his musical career in 1963. He rose to prominence in the 1970s with his band, The Wailers, and his unique brand of reggae music. Marley’s lyrics were often political and reflected his Rastafarian beliefs. He is credited with helping to spread reggae music around the world and is one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Marley died of cancer in 1981 at the age of 36.

Jimmy Cliff

Jimmy Cliff, OM (born as James Chambers on 1 April 1948), is a Jamaican musician, multi-instrumentalist, singer, and actor. He is the only living musician to hold the Order of Merit, the highest honour that can be granted by the Jamaican government for achievement in the arts and sciences. Cliff is best known among mainstream audiences for songs such as “Sitting in Limbo”, “You Can Get It If You Really Want” and “Many Rivers to Cross” from The Harder They Come (1972), a film in which he starred; and his covers of Cat Stevens’ “Wild World” and Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now” from Hot Shot (1977).

As a trailed artiste in the 1960s, Cliff released a string of singles that included “King of Kings”, “Dearest Beverley”, and “Miss Jamaica”. These songs all received frequent airplay on radio stations across Jamaica. With the success of these singles, Cliff began working with such accomplished musicians as Ernest Ranglin, Tony Chin, Bernard Harvey aka Flinty Badman, and Caleb Zion Diagnie. Cliff also formed Jimmy Cliff & The Music Fellows band.

Burning Spear

Burning Spear, whose given name is Winston Rodney, was born in the village of St. Ann’s Bay, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica. He grew up in a strict household where his father was a deacon in the local Baptist church and his mother was a firm believer in the Rastafari movement. Both of his parents were heavily involved in the agricultural trade, which had a profound influence on Burning Spear’s music. He began his musical career as a drummer in 1965 with the group The Soul vendors. He soon switched to singing after being asked by lyrics by Joe Higgs.

Toots and the Maytals

Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term also denotes the modern popular music of Jamaica and its diaspora. A 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals, “Do the Reggay” was the first popular song to use the word “reggae”, effectively naming the genre and introducing it to a global audience. While sometimes used in a broad sense to refer to most types of popular Jamaican dance music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.

The Future of Reggae

The future of reggae is very bright. With the rise in popularity of electronic music, reggae is becoming more popular than ever. Reggae is a genre of music that is very versatile and can be incorporated into many different styles of music. Reggae is also a very positive and uplifting genre of music that can inspire people.

The New Generation of Reggae

In the 1960s, a new sound called reggae emerged from the island of Jamaica. Reggae was a blend of African rhythm and blues, with a focus on the bass line. The new genre quickly caught on, and soon Jamaican artists were topping the charts around the world.

Today, reggae is as popular as ever. But there is a new generation of artists who are taking the genre in new directions. These artists are experimenting with different sounds and styles, while still staying true to the roots of reggae.

This new generation of reggae artists includes groups like Rebelution, SOJA, and The Green. They are helping to keep the genre fresh and exciting, while still appealing to longtime fans. With their catchy tunes and positive messages, these artists are sure to keep reggae alive for many years to come.

The Evolution of Reggae

Reggae music has undergone a significant evolution since its humble beginnings in the 1960s. The genre has been shaped by a number of factors, including the political climate of its homeland Jamaica, the popularity of other genres of music, and the ever-changing tastes of listeners.

Initially, reggae was heavily influenced by ska and rocksteady, two other genres of Jamaican music. However, as reggae began to gain popularity in other parts of the world, it began to absorb influences from a variety of other genres. This can be heard in the incorporation of elements from hip hop, R&B, and even pop music into modern reggae tunes.

One thing that has remained constant throughout the evolution of reggae is its focus on positive messages and its roots in Jamaican culture. As the genre continues to evolve, it is likely that these elements will remain at its core.