What makes a reggae song

One of it's most easily recognizable elements is offbeat rhythms ; staccato chords Sharply detached sound or note played by the guitar or piano, or both on the offbeat measures. The tempo of reggae is usually slower than Ska but faster than rocksteady. The concept of " call and response " can be found throughout reggae music.

The Rhythmic patern accents the 2nd and 4th beat in each bar and combines with the drums on beat 3 to create a unique sense of phrasing. Instruments The Bass guitar often plays a dominant role in reggae. The bass sound is generally thick and heavy, and equalized so the upper frequencies are removed and the lower frequencies are emphasized. A S tandard Drum Kit is generally used in reggae but the snare drum is often tuned to give it a timbales-type sound.

A "Four on the Floor" The Guitar in reggae usually plays on the off beat of the rhythm. A musical figure known as a skank or the "bang" has a very dampened, short and scratchy chop sound, almost like a percussion instrument. Sometimes the guitar plays a double chop on the offbeats, but also plays the following 8th beats on the up stroke.

The piano part was widely taken over by synthesizers during the 's, although synthesizers have been used in a peripheral role since the 's to play incidental melodies and counter-melodies. Horns are very frequently used in reggae, often playing introductions and counter-melodies. Instruments included in a typical reggae horn section include Saxophone , trumpet or trombone.

In more recent times, real horns are sometimes being replaced by by synthesizers and recorded samples. The 1st horn is generally accompanied by a 2nd horn playing the same melodic phrase in unison, one octave higher. This is the most important part, if you don't do anything else make sure you rock the reggae colors sometimes folks! That includes any combination of black, red, green and gold. I tend to rock black and green and sometimes gold.

It just makes you look the part. That's it! Take care. For more on the characteristics of reggae vocals. Dwayne Griffiths New Album is out! Copyright How-To-Play-Reggae. All rights reserved. No reproduction permitted without permission. Print this page What are the characteristics of reggae Tweet Many of the characteristics of reggae are unique to reggae music.

The Drumming Styles Again, the characteristics of reggae are also unique in the drumming department. The Bass Line The bass line is what makes reggae what it really is.

Keyboards Pianos are rarely used these days Morden reggae music is mainly played using the keyboard because of flexibility and though this may not be a unique characteristic of reggae, it is nonetheless played in a unique way.

The Guitar The Characteristics of reggae is strongly emphasized by the guitar. The Organ The organ is responsible for the unique characteristic of reggae called the bubble; this is basically playing against the rhythm section to give dimension body and movement.

The Brass Section The characteristics of reggae allow horns to play an integral part. The Percussions Percussions mainly include congo and bongo drums, tambourines, shakers, whistles, bottles and other self made instruments. The Vocals The characteristics of reggae vocals involve singing, D-jaying talking over the microphone or a combination of the both.

Reggae Colors This is the most important part, if you don't do anything else make sure you rock the reggae colors sometimes folks! For more on the characteristics of reggae vocals Bookmark this page. Reggae Instrumental. Reggae Chord Progressions. Reggae Guitar. How To Play Reggae Guitar. Reggae Guitar Solo. Reggae Guitar Sound. Palm Mute. Best Reggae Guitars. Reggae Amp. Roland Jazz Chorus. Fender Mustang Amp Review. Bob Marley Guitar Lesson.

Reggae Delay. Acoustic Reggae Guitar. Reggae Chords. Reggae Pedal. Reggae Bass. Whilst this may well herald from the roots of the music, it is because they just are not necessary and add nothing important to the song. Amongst all the many wonderful Reggae artists I feel special mention must be made of Bob Marley. If you are hoping to hear the very essence and spirit of Reggae there is, to my mind, no better place to begin with. His devotion to Rastafarianism singles Marley out as a kind of the cultural leader of the Reggae movement.

This coupled with his intensely powerful lyrics tied Marley firmly to his roots and the foundations of the movement. Perhaps what singles Bob Marley out is one central message that channeled through so many of his songs; that of world peace and love. CMUSE is a participant of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program — it is designed to provide an aid for the websites in earning an advertisement fee — by means of advertising and linking to Amazon.

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