Reggae music is an intoxicating combination of lyrics and beats. From its beachy calypso-influenced instrumentation to the thunderous drum beats and horns, reggae captivates both mind and body alike.
Lee “Scratch” Perry pioneered the reggae subgenre dub, which features slower tempos and emphasizes bass line roles more prominently. Additionally, he popularized toasting (rhythmical talking) within Jamaican culture.
Rhythm
Reggae music’s rhythmic quality is one of its key distinguishing characteristics, having evolved out of Jamaican Mento music as well as earlier genres such as Ska and Rocksteady as well as American R&B music. No single artist or group can take credit for creating reggae; rather it was created through multiple influences coming together to form what we now recognize as reggae music today.
Reggae musicians typically employ the 4/4 time signature, meaning every beat is evenly divided among four beats. Songs written using other time signatures such as 3/4 or 6/8 cannot be considered reggae even if they possess all of its other attributes that characterize this genre of music.
Reggae music’s signature “money beat” rhythm can also be found within its lyrics; it involves playing bass guitar on beats 1 and 3, with the snare drum hitting on beats 2 and 4, and repeating throughout songs with only minor variations in between.
Drums are the primary instrument used to play reggae music, and their role is integral in its sound. Drummers commonly employ an effective drum pattern called “riddim,” which combines multiple rhythms into one rhythmic pattern for maximum impact – creating an unmistakably reggae sound!
Reggae vocalists play an integral part of its music. Many songs feature lyrics about Jamaica’s struggle and hardships; furthermore, many reggae artists sing about issues like poverty, racism and religion in their performances.
Dancehall, a relatively recent subgenre of reggae, reflects harsh realities of life in Jamaica while serving as the voice of youth. Dancehall music can be recognized by its more electronic sound with heavy bass tones that resonate within your chest; Toots & the Maytals, Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh all helped lay down its foundation. Dancehall became the catalyst behind young Jamaicans rejecting conventional culture for one more rebellious one.
Steps
Reggae dance is defined by rhythm and movement. Its beat is syncopated and features distinctive snare drum and hi-hat pulses similar to rocksteady and ska styles, while reggae music includes bass lines and guitars with its signature rhythmic patterns – which often carry positive messages of love, peace, and unity; making this music style ideal for relaxing and unwinding.
As when listening to any genre of music, dancing reggae requires finding its rhythm and following it. One approach is listening closely to both bass line and drums before trying to match your movements with it by swaying hips or turning shoulders back and forth; perhaps the most well-known move for reggae dancing is called skanking; you march to the beat while sliding feet side to side; for beginners, start out by practicing this form before moving on to more complex forms such as the boogie or ragga-style twist moves.
Reggae music is distinguished by the use of microphones to add spoken elements through toasting. While traditionally, toasters were known for prattling on about themselves or boasting about themselves, artists like Busta Rhymes have recently popularized an aggressive and rap-style of toasting that has quickly become iconic within this genre.
At the peak of reggae’s golden age, during which Bob Marley and Peter Toch made it famous in the 1960s, many artists used their music to discuss social issues such as religious philosophies such as Rastafarianism and Garveyism as well as reform. Additionally, marijuana (commonly referred to as herb, weed or sinsemilla) use was often promoted through this medium as part of its role as an Rastafari sacrament.
Reggae music and dance has had an immense influence on other forms of music and dance, including punk rock bands influenced by Jamaican sounds as well as hip hop. Additionally, roots reggae revival has hit Jamaica thanks to artists like Queen Ifrika and Koffee; their music speaks out about gender equality and feminism rather than Rastafari ideals of patriarchy.
Arm Movements
Reggae music and dance incorporate rhythm as an integral element, so once you become comfortable leaning and swaying to the beat, experiment with moving your arms in ways that enhance its groove. Try using basic rock moves such as rolling your hips to mimic hula hoop movement; or learn “wine up,” which involves rolling hips similar to how one might spin a hula hoop; this signature move of reggae music will only make your dancing more interesting and authentic if done well!
Reggae music’s bass lines play an essential part in many songs. Bass guitar players will typically repeat a simple rhythm on repeated notes while heavy drum beats add to the overall feel of each track. Reggae drum beats can often be heard beating out tempo without being obvious; its bass lines may also feature distortion adding an earthy touch that lends the genre its unique soundscape.
Raggamuffin is a reggae music style developed in Jamaica during the 1980s as technology enabled more electronic instrumentation and performance. Artists created digital versions of traditional dancehall and reggae styles from Jamaica that combined reggae with genres such as pop rock drum and bass and more electronic instrumentation to produce an innovative style encompassing multiple musical forms while remaining true to its roots. This form was dubbed Raggamuffin.
Reggae music has its origins firmly planted within Rastafarian faith and culture as well as Jamaican history and culture. Reggae was initially created as a protest movement against political injustices of its time; many artists used their music as an outlet to express their social views while simultaneously spreading religion through it. Furthermore, reggae’s connection to Haile Selassie and Jah is another key characteristic that makes up its musical character.
Practice
Reggae music stands out from other genres with its syncopated rhythm, often underscored by guitar and piano beats that land on the offbeats rather than upbeats of each measure. This gives reggae music its characteristic “jumpy” feel that makes it stand out. Bass guitar strummed frequently across each measure is key in creating this sound.
As soon as you understand the rhythm of a reggae song, try swaying your hips back and forth to the beat – this is known as “skanking”. Skanking is an increasingly popular style of dance in reggae music and dancing; an ideal way to show off your new moves on the dance floor!
As you practice reggae dancing, pay careful attention to the “ridim.” This beat of reggae music provides its distinct Jamaican feel; when your hips move in a circular hula-hoop-like motion in time with it, that means your skills match! Additionally, don’t forget to bob your head back and forth as well – these elements add another important aspect of reggae dancing that gives it its distinctive flair!
Reggae music’s rhythms and tempos vary greatly, depending on its artist. Some artists create more laid-back vibes similar to ska and rocksteady while others focus on high energy with upbeat lyrics. Reggae draws influence from many genres including Jamaican vernacular language, African Nyabinghi drumming styles, R&B/soul music from America as well as international styles like Jamaica.
Reggae became globally popular through artists like Bob Marley, Toots & the Maytals and Jimmy Cliff in the 1960s, with movies such as 1973’s “The Harder They Come” featuring Jimmy Cliff further helping to cement its place as one of Jamaica’s leading musical styles.
Through the 1980s, dancehall artists such as Shabba Ranks and Capleton helped spread reggae beyond its origins in Jamaica to other parts of the world. Japanese and German musicians began adopting reggae music into their cultural styles, further globalizing it. Nowadays, artists from across cultures continue using reggae music and dance to convey cultural stories from Jamaica and elsewhere around the globe.