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Reggae: The History
During the 1940s and 50s, Mento, a style of Jamaican folk music emerged. Mento was a fusion of European and African musical traits, using instruments such as the guitars, rumba boxes, bongos and banjos.
During the 1960s , Ska developed as Jamaican Mento musicians covered American popular songs. Ska was danced to at mobile discos on the streets.
However, Rocksteady quickly overtook Ska in popularity being slower paced, more relaxed and easier to dance to.
After two years, Reggae emerged with lyrics expressing protest and revolution. The style was influenced by Rastafarian belief and culture. Bob Marley and the Wailers lead this movement.
For more information click here.
Important features of Reggae music
Reggae is characterised by a rhythmic device called a 'skank' or chop.
This is when the emphasis is placed on the weak beat, and this is usually played by the rhythm guitar.
There are two ways this is played.
1. Off beat
We count the off beat as one and two and three and four and.
The 'and' is the offbeat, which is when you play the chord.
2. Backbeat
The chord is played on count 2 and 4.
Lyrics ~ what are they singing about?
Reggae music lyrics are often about love, religion or social problems.
Bob Marley was a famous Reggae artist and wrote many songs around these topics.
Here are a few examples:
Buffalo soldier
Buffalo soldier, dreadlock rasta
There was a buffalo soldier in the heart of America
Stolen from Africa, brought to America
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival
I mean it, when I analyse the stench
To me it makes a lot of sense
How the dreadlock rasta was the buffalo soldier
And he was taken from Africa, brought to America
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival
Said he was a buffalo soldier, dreadlock rasta
Buffalo soldier in the heart of America
Jammin'
We're jammin':
I wanna jam it wid you.
We're jammin', jammin'
And I hope you like jammin', too.
Ain't no rules, ain't no vow, we can do it anyhow:
I'n'I will see you through
'Cos everyday we pay the price with a little sacrifice
Jammin' till the jam is through.
We're jammin' -
To think that jammin' was a thing of the past
We're jammin'
And I hope this jam is gonna last.
No bullet can stop us now, we neither beg nor we won't bow
Neither can be bought nor sold.
Ukulele strings
The ukulele strings are called: G, C, E, A
Ukulele chord charts
Chords and playalong for 'Don't Worry, Be Happy'
Further listening: To develop your listening skills, listen to more reggae music (below) or find your own favourite reggae songs!
Share what you have listened to on your google classroom
Kingston Town
by UB40
https://youtu.be/WqGs_5Jw3pU
Three Little Birds
by Bob Marley & the Wailers
https://youtu.be/HNBCVM4KbUM
Buffalo Soldier
by Bob Marley
https://youtu.be/jjQgpB8eB7M
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