Reggae

BTEC Tech Music Practice

Component 1
Exploring Music Products and Styles

Reggae is a unique form of music which originated in Jamaica in the 1960's. It has been influenced by a number of other musical styles. Such as (Music form the Jamaica) - 'Ska', 'Mento', 'Rocksteady'. As well as (American) 'Rhythm and Blues' which would have been easily picked up in Jamaica in the early days of radio.

Music has always had a big role in the lives of Jamaican people. The roots of traditional Jamaican music can be traced back to African music due to number of Jamaicans who are descendants of Africans brought to the West Indies to work as slaves on sugar plantations.

Reggae Music Documentary

Bob Marley

Bob Marley is the most well known 'Reggae' musician.

He well known for playing with his band 'Bob Marley and the Wailers'. Some of their most well known songs include: - 'Three Little Birds' 'Could you be loved' 'Is this Love' 'Jammin' 'Buffalo Solider' 'No Woman No Cry' 'Exodus' 'Easy Skanking'

Bob Marley and the Wailers LIVE

Styles of music which influenced Reggae

The Difference Between Ska, Rocksteady, and Reggae Guitar

Mento

This style of Jamaican folk music was popular in the 1950s. Like calypso it is strophic in form (verese/chorus structure) and has light-hearted lyrics accompanied by offbeat chords on guitar and banjo, Rumba box, fife (a type of flute).

Ska

A fast dance style with offbeat (beats 2 and 4) chords that emerged in the late 1950s. The lyrics tended to be about serious social issues. Folk elements of mento were mixed with the electric guitars and horn sections of rhythm ‘n’ blues. Listen out for the use of brass in the clip below.

Rocksteady

A slower style from the mid 1960s which followed on from ska. It featured a loud, repeated melody on bass guitar called a riff. The offbeat chords were emphasised and the lyrics were often political in nature.

Mento example

Rumba Box example

Fife (flute) example

Ska example

Rocksteady example