How to Play Reggae Guitar

When most people think of reggae, they only think of vocals. However, in reality, reggae is often accompanied by instruments. The most common instrument used in reggae music is the guitar. Are you interested in learning how to play reggae guitar? Do you want to join in on one of today's hottest music genres? If so, read on!

Reggae, originally started in the 1960's in Jamaica, has been rising in popularity ever since. Bob Marley is by far the most commonly known reggae artist, who used a guitar in most of his songs. If you want to know how to play reggae guitar, you should know that music reggae style, which is very similar to ska music, is played at a very slow pace. The music is usually not very complicated, but it can take some getting used to.

The most important thing you need to have before starting to learn how to play reggae guitar is a basic sense of rhythm. Reggae music relies heavily on rhythm, and without at least a basic knowledge of beats, you will find learning how to play reggae guitar very challenging. If you don't think that you have good internal rhythm, try some simple exercises. One good way to practice your rhythm is to tap along with a metronome, then turn the metronome off and continue the beat for a while. After a minute or so, turn the metronome back on, and see how well you maintained the beat.

When you are learning how to play reggae guitar, you will discover quite quickly that most notes in your music land on the off-beat. What this means is that if you are playing along with a metronome, most of your notes will be played while the metronome is NOT playing. The time between metronome beats is called the off-beat. Learning to play on the off-beat can be difficult at first, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes very natural.

If you are having trouble and can't seem to figure out just how to play reggae guitar, a very good thing to do is watch a professional. This can be done either by hiring a tutor, or simply watching videos of professionals playing. If you can afford a tutor, I would highly recommend getting one. If you cannot, there are also a number of affordable internet courses that teach you in the same way a private tutor would, but for much less money.

How to Play a Reggae Bassline?

Everybody loves reggae style. From Bob Marley to Morgan Heritage, reggae leaves people bobbing their heads with groovy basslines. Yes, in the genre of Reggae bass has a very prominent role.Reggae has a very rich history back in the 1960's following Ska and Rocksteady. It has a slower tempo; characterized by a rhythmic beat of the guitar known as skank. The one-drop drum is also a reggae signature.
To get the reggae bass sound you wanted, you need to learn and remember a few things. First, your hands will be fairly active but needs to get loose. Although most reggae chords are around the major and minor areas, the way they are chromatically played needs a lot of practice. With reggae, it's not about the notes but the way you play them. Next, try to play using a palm mute technique. You also may want to consider replacing your round wounds with flat ones. The reason being, you wanted to get that authentic "fat" sound that upright bass guitars produce-just back in the day. Not only that you wanted to emulate the sound but have a smoother feel; perfect for sliding. Another thing to consider is where to place your hands. Plucking the notes near the bridge will produce a clear sound which you do not want. Instead, place your plucking hand near the bridge; where you will make a dark reggae bass you wanted.
When choosing your guitar, look for those who have a pick near the bridge. It will further amplify the sound coming from that area. The Fender Jazz bass is an ideal instrument.
Restrain yourself from playing too many notes. Common reggae grooves have simple majors and minors within them-it is that simple. It is important to stay within the pattern of the beat-dropping the first note or not.
Drum and bass are more prominent to reggae than guitar. Guitars mostly provide the rhythmic off-beat patterns, tailing the drum beat along the song. If you notice in reggae songs, every instrument plays different roles compared from the standard set-up. The guitar provides the beat; the drum holds all together and the bass creates the melody.
Last but not the least, you need to relax. Reggae may have walking basslines and all but the important thing to remember is to allow yourself to follow the rest of the instruments while doing your pattern. It is easy to do this since the rest of the instruments are already providing the rhythm for you.