How to Play Reggae Music on the Guitar

A beginner’s guide to playing reggae music on the guitar. This blog post covers the basic techniques you need to get started.

Introduction

Reggae is a musical genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term reggae typically refers to a particular style of Jamaican popular music that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady. Reggae is characterized by a 4/4 time signature, offbeat rhythms, and call and response vocals.

One of the most distinctive aspects of reggae guitar playing is the use of staccato chords, which are chords that are played with a very short, sharp attack. Another important element of reggae guitar playing is the use of syncopated rhythm patterns. Syncopation is when a rhythmic figure is displaced by a half beat or more, creating an off-kilter feel. Reggae guitarists also make use of special techniques like percussive strumming and “chuck” playing (i.e., rapidly muting and un-muting the strings with the side of the hand).

In this article, we’ll give you a crash course in how to play reggae guitar. We’ll start by teaching you some essential chords and rhythm patterns, then we’ll put it all together with a simple song example. By the end of this article, you’ll have all the tools you need to start jamming out some reggae tunes on your own!

What You Need

To play reggae guitar, you need to understand how to play the chords, the strumming patterns, and the rhythm. You also need to know how to mute the strings with your left hand so that you can create the characteristic “chunk” sound that is so essential to reggae. In this article, we will show you what you need to know to get started playing reggae guitar.

To play reggae guitar, you will need:
-An electric or acoustic guitar
-A pick
-A tuner
-An amplifier (if you are using an electric guitar)
-A metronome (optional but recommended)

Reggae Guitar Basics

Reggae is a type of music that originated in Jamaica in the 1960s. The most important instrument in reggae is the guitar, and the style of playing is very different from other genres. If you want to learn how to play reggae on the guitar, there are a few basics that you need to know.

The first thing you need to do is get a feel for the rhythm of reggae. One of the most important elements of reggae is the skank, which is a percussive strumming pattern that gives the music its signature sound. To learn how to play the skank, start by strumming down on the two lower strings (the fifth and fourth strings) with your thumb. Then, strum up on the third string with your index finger. Alternate between these two strums, and you’ll start to get a feel for the rhythm of reggae.

Once you have the basic skank down, you can start adding in other elements to create more interesting rhythms. One popular technique is called “dubbing,” which involves muting the strings with your left hand while you strum. This gives the music a more percussive sound and can be used to create all sorts of different rhythms.

Another important element of reggae guitar playing is “riffing.” Riffs are simply short phrases that are played over and over again throughout a song. Many popular reggae songs are built around simple but catchy riffs that are easy to remember and play.

If you want to learn how to play reggae guitar, start by practicing these basic techniques. With a little practice, you’ll be able to add your own flavor to this unique style of music.

More Advanced Techniques

Now that you know the basic techniques for playing reggae music on the guitar, you can start to explore more advanced techniques. One of the most important elements of reggae guitar playing is the skank. This is a percussive strumming technique that adds a lot of energy and movement to the music.

To perform a skank, you will need to use a pick. Start by holding the pick between your thumb and first finger, with the point of the pick facing down. Then, use your wrist to quickly and repeatedly flick the pick against the strings. You can skank on any beat of the measure, but it sounds best on the off-beats (between the counts of 2 and 4).

Another important element of reggae guitar playing isthe rhythmic figure known as “the Nyabinghi.” This figure is played on the up-beat (count 1) and consists of four quick strums followed by a longer held note. To play this figure, start by striking all six strings simultaneously with an up-stroke. Then, quickly strum three more times before holding the final note for a beat or two.

These are just two of many possible reggae guitar techniques that you can explore. As you become more comfortable with the basic elements of reggae guitar playing, you will be able to experiment and find your own unique style.

Conclusion

In conclusion, reggae guitar is a style that can be challenging to learn but is ultimately very rewarding. It incorporates elements of both lead and rhythm playing, and incorporates complex chords and progressions. With practice and patience, anyone can learn to play this unique and soulful style of music.