Reggae Music: Easy Piano Free Sheet Music

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Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

Download and print Reggae Music: Easy Piano sheet music for free.

Introduction

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 broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that was strongly influenced by traditional mento as well as American jazz and rhythm and blues, especially the New Orleans R&B practiced by Fats Domino and Allen Toussaint.

Basic Reggae Piano Techniques

Reggae music is loved by many people all over the world. The great thing about reggae is that it is relatively easy to play on the piano. In this article, we will go over some basic techniques that you can use to start playing reggae music on the piano.

The Ska

The ska is a very important part of reggae piano. It’s a fast, off-beat style of playing that gives the music its energy. The best way to get a feel for the ska is to listen to some authentic Jamaican music. You’ll hear the ska played on the upbeats, or “off-beats.”

To play the ska, you can use any fingering that you’re comfortable with. The important thing is to be able to play the off-beats accurately. You may find it helpful to practice with a metronome, or even just a ticking clock, so that you can keep your place in the music.

The other important part of reggae piano is the “rockers.” These are long, sustained notes that provide a foundation for the rest of the music. They’re usually played with the left hand, while the right hand plays the ska or other rhythms.

To play rockers, you need to be able to hold down a chord with one hand while you play other notes with the other hand. This can be tricky at first, but it’s an essential skill for reggae piano. Practice playing rockers with both hands separately, and then put them together when you’re ready.

The Rockers

Rockers is the most popular reggae subgenre. It is characterized by a strong backbeat and feel of African drums. The term “rockers” was first used in 1974 to describe a harder, more conscious form of reggae. Rockers often have slower tempos than other styles of reggae, and they make use of percussive backbeats that create an insistent, hypnotic effect. The bass lines are usually very simple, but they can be earthy and dub-influenced.

The One Drop

In reggae, the “one drop” is a rhythmic figure played on the bass drum on the “one” beat, and optionally on the snare drum or clap on the “two” beat. It is simply one stroke of the bass drum, followed by a space (a rest), then another stroke of the bass drum. Reggae basslines often use this figure to great effect, and it is often confused with a skank.

The one drop can be used to create a number of different rhythms, depending on how it is played and where it is placed within the measure. For example, it can be played on beats 1 and 3, or on beats 2 and 4. It can also be played as an upstroke (on the “one” beat) followed by a downstroke (on the “two” beat).

Reggae Piano Riffs

Reggae piano is a style of music that is unique and can be quite catchy. If you are looking for easy piano sheet music, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you with some easy piano riffs that you can learn and play.

The Ska

The ska is a fast, upbeat style of music that originated in Jamaica in the 1950s. It’s similar to rocksteady, but with a faster tempo and a more driving beat. The ska is often credited as the precursor to reggae, and its popularity spread quickly throughout the Caribbean and into the United Kingdom in the 1960s.

The Rockers

Reggae Rockers is a slow, ponderous style of Reggae typified by a strong backbeat. The drum and bass play “rockers” or “steppers” patterns while the guitar emphasizes the third beat in the measure. Skanking or quick strumming on the off beat is typical.

The One Drop

The One Drop is a piano riff that is typically used in reggae music. This riff is played on the offbeat, and it usually consists of two notes. The first note is played on the beat, and the second note is played on the offbeat. The One Drop can be played with any combination of notes, but it is typically played with a root note and a fifth.

Conclusion

Reggae is a unique and popular genre of music that has its origins in Jamaica. If you’re interested in learning how to play this style of music, there are a few things you should know. First, it’s important to understand the basic structure of a reggae song. Second, you’ll need to learn some basic chords and progressions. And third, you should familiarize yourself with some of the most common reggae rhythms.

Once you have a basic understanding of these elements, you’ll be well on your way to playing reggae on the piano!

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