Which Instrument is Used in Reggae Music?

The reggae music scene would not be the same without the distinctive sound of the Jamaican steel drum.

Reggae Music

Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term reggae is derived from the word “raggedy”, which describes the sound of the music. Reggae is typically characterized by a 4/4 time signature, offbeat rhythms, and a focus on the bass and drums. The instruments used in reggae music include the guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards.

Origins of Reggae Music

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 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.

The Reggae Sound

Reggae music is strongly influenced by the African-American music that originated in the United States, such as rhythm and blues, jazz, and rock and roll. However, it also contains elements of Caribbean music, such as calypso and Mento. The main instrument used in reggae music is the drums. The drumbeat is very important in reggae, as it gives the music its distinctive sound. Other instruments used in reggae include the bass guitar, electric guitar, and keyboard.

The Instruments Used in Reggae Music

There are a variety of instruments used in reggae music, including the guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards. Each instrument plays a vital role in creating the unique sound of reggae. In this article, we’ll take a look at the different instruments used in reggae music and how they contribute to the genre’s signature sound.

The Guitar

The guitar is one of the most popular instruments used in reggae music. Many reggae songs feature a guitar solo or riff that helps to carry the melody of the song. The most popular type of guitar used in reggae music is the electric guitar. This is because the electric guitar can be used to create a wide variety of sounds, including the signature “wah-wah” sound that is often associated with reggae music.

The Bass

The bass is the foundation of reggae music. It is a very important instrument in the band and provides the low-pitched rhythmic foundation that gives reggae its distinctive sound. The bass player usually plays a four-stringed instrument called a bass guitar, but sometimes they may also play a six-stringed bass or a Fretted five-stringed Bass. The bass player usually plays with a pick, but they may also use their fingers.

The Drums

In reggae, the drumming is typically very simple: the drumming plays on the “off-beat” of the measure. This gives reggae its distinctive “loping” sound. The drumming usually consists of four parts:

The “kick” drum, which is played on the first beat of the measure;
The “snare” drum, which is played on the second and fourth beats of the measure;
The “hi-hat”, which is played on the off-beats (between the snare beats); and
The “ride” cymbal, which is played on the first and third beats of the measure.

The Keyboard

The keyboard is one of the most important instruments in reggae music. It is used to create the reggae beat, which is a very distinctive feature of the genre. The keyboard can also be used to create other sounds, such as melodies and chords.

The Influence of Reggae Music

Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term reggae is derived from the words “regular” and “reggae,” which refers to the sound of the drum and bass in the music. Reggae is a music genre that is characterized by a strong beat, and often has a slow and steady tempo. The instrument that is most commonly associated with reggae music is the bass guitar.

Reggae in Popular Culture

Reggae music has been mainstreamed into popular culture, especially in the United Kingdom and the United States. In Britain, reggae became popular in the late 1960s with artists such as Desmond Dekker, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones having hits with reggae-influenced songs such as “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”, “The Israelites”, and “Sympathy for the Devil”, respectively. Reggae’s popularity increased in the 1970s with British punks adopting it as their own; The Clash’s 1977 albumLondon Calling featured the song “Police and Thieves”, while The Jam’s 1979 album Setting Sons included the song “Start!”. From there, reggae continued to influence other genres of music such as rock (reggae rock), punk rock (punk reggae), hip hop (reggae rap), and rhythm and blues (Reggae R&B).

The Political Influence of Reggae Music

Reggae music has often been associated with the Rastafari movement, which promotes the spiritual use of cannabis, due to the association of cannabis with Bob Marley, who is considered one of the pioneers of the genre. Reggae music has also been used as a medium for political commentary, as it was during the ska and rocksteady eras in Jamaica. In the late 1960s, bands such as The Wailers and The Maytals began scoring hits in Britain and the United States. These songs contained social commentary on issues such as poverty and racism.

In the 1970s, reggae became more focused on personal and political liberation, with songs such as Marley’s “Redemption Song” and Peter Tosh’s “Equal Rights.” In the 1980s, conscious reggae artists continued to address social and political issues in their music. These artists included Buju Banton, Garnet Silk, Sugar Minott, Anthony B, and Capleton. In the 1990s and 2000s (decade), dancehall artists such as Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Mr. Vegas, Vybz Kartel went on to achieve international success.