By Barry Vincent
There are quite a few reggae tutorials online but how many actually learned reggae in Jamaica and played with the biggest names in Reggae ?
I did and have. Hey, if I don't blow my own horn who will?
I am a guitarist with over 30 yrs experience playing many different styles of music.
In have jammed and/or performed with Reggae artists like Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Dennis Brown, Alton Ellis (I'm actually on one of his albums recorded in the 80's for the Jetstar label in the UK), John Holt, The Might Diamonds, Tony Tuff, Eek-A-Mouse, Sugar Minott, Carron Wheeler.
In 1975 I was reffered by a trumpeter at the Jamaica school of Music, to Bob Marley, at 56 Hope Rd, Kingston. To read the story (Jamming with Bob Marley), click HERE.
Here we shall look at 1. the many variants of reggae guitar playing with examples 2. The different reggae guitar playing styles.
I am busy in the studio but I will get around to sharing my experiences on the road with the late Dennis Brown in the UK and Europe.
(Listen to Reggae Tutorial samples below)
Reggae from a musician's point view.
There are different styles of reggae that have come about and can be categorized into 1. Roots 2. Dub 3. Studio One 4. Ska 5. Dance Hall and now 6. Hip-Hop Reggae. The Bass and Drums are integral to all styles but there are differences .
Roots is a more organic style with the organ 'bubbling' as in a fast 16th note shuffle, and sometimes a horn section playing in three part harmony or unison.
There are sometimes 2 guitars. One playing the rythym and the other the lead. The reggae rythym guitar 'chop' is accomplished by striking the first 4 strings and not allowing them to resonate, using fret hand-control. Using the treble or bridge pickups with a clean amp would be the best sound.
Mostly on recordings there is often a 3rd electric guitar track. This might be a rock or bluesy solo. Bob Marley and Peter Tosh used this technique quite effectively. Listen to this on Bob Marley's Concrete Jungle.
The drum kit has a very definite place in reggae music and has matured into a unique style. The late Carlton Barrett (formerly with Bob Marley and the Wailers) and Sly Dunbar (Sly and Robbie- Skin, Flesh and Bones) are the pioneers in reggae. Having said that, it should be noted that there are many highly skilled drummers that have come from Jamaica.
Horns are also an intergal part of the reggae sound. People like arranger Clive Hunt, Alto saxaphonist Dean Fraser, Nambo, Vin Gordon and others are the reggae horn players that come to mind....... A typical horns instrumentation example is Tenor, Trumpet and Alto (using 3 part harmony or unison) or Tenor, Trumpet and Trombone. The rules that apply to reggae horns are the same that apply to any other style of music. Punchy articulated phrases work well but this can be contrasted by lyrical, melodic phrases used judiciously.
Most reggae basslines are punchy, percussive and are usually fairly loud in the mix.
