• From: BELGIUM
  • Registered: 2007-01-27
  • Posts: 3,403

Topic: REGGAE

Since years I trie to play ska or reggae, but IT IS IN MY CASE IMPOSSIBLE TO PLAY THAT RHYTHM STYLE.
Who can help me, by telling for example, that I have to strum, and counting at the same time? I even tried to play along, it's better than, but once the song stops: LOST AGAIN.

[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color]   AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]

gitaardocphil's Website

  • mrjay
  • Senior Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2007-04-19
  • Posts: 174

Re: REGGAE

Hey Doc,

The rhythm count in reggae is 1-2-3 as opposed to most rock which is 1-2-3-4.

Check out this link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2Q9nbPV5FM

This guy is obviously a pro, and his style is hard to replicate. But listen to how he explains the rhythms as he's talking to the interviewer (the samba beats are awesome too).

I had a hard time picking up this strumming type at first, but after listening to this, I had a much better idea of how to play reggae.

Also, here are a few good simple songs to practice this rhythm on:

- Lion sleeps tonight - Various Artists
- I'm yours - Jason Mraz
- Jammin' - Bob Marley

Bonne Chance mon ami!

J.

  • From: BELGIUM
  • Registered: 2007-01-27
  • Posts: 3,403

Re: REGGAE

Thanks, fellow chordian. The Lion sleeps tonight, I can play it blind. So I'll try

[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color]   AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]

gitaardocphil's Website

  • From: Orpington London
  • Registered: 2006-10-22
  • Posts: 390

Re: REGGAE

Guitardocphil

I posted some advice on Reggae and Ska

http://www.chordie.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=3102

http://www.chordie.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=3583


incidentally -

I think that when playing reggae you are better counting 1.2.3.4. The point in the Video is I think that the strum can be emphasised on the third beat.

However my preference is to put the accent on the second and fourth beat

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