I need a crash course in reggae, dub and time signatures!

Mikeus · #1 08-16-2010, 08:10 PM

I've just formed a band with a great drummer who is well educated in these styles and timings.

I know nothing about them. I do know some odd time signatures stuff but I never know what they are, I just feel them and they are more...mathematical like 2-1-2-2-1-1-3 sort of thing

what would be some good songs I could learn and listen to get into playing reggae and exercises for odd time signatures?

kesslari · #2 08-16-2010, 08:14 PM

For reggae - try this. And listen to a lot of classic reggae, absorb the feel, and play the songs.
Reggae and Dub Primer

**pacojas** · #3 08-16-2010, 08:15 PM

study the bass lines from the group Midnite. it's some of the most crucial roots ever played and they are not from Jamaica! gl.

Dee-man · #4 08-16-2010, 08:16 PM

I'm looking at a music book of Bob Marley tunes and they all seem to be in 4/4 time. Some of them (e.g., Jammin') have 2 eighth notes (connected by a bar on top) played as a triplet (2 notes bracketed on top with the number 3 in the middle) consisting of a quarter note and an eighth note (not sure if I've transcribed that correctly in english). All of which is to say, I'd strongly suggest you listen to a lot of reggae and internalize the rhythm and feel and vibe. Good luck, DM