Reggae riddums-help plz.

hwystar · #1 04-06-2010, 05:19 PM

Ok so I got a chance to be in a reggae band, and know nothing about it, did a search, and got directed to many on-line links for "riddums" but they don't seem to exist, and most of the reggea posts are about 3-4 years old, so does anyone know of some links that are current that could help me out? Just got a copy of "reggae bass" by Ed Friedland as suggested by another TBer, any kind of help will be greatly appreciated. I'm just gettin back into playing after a long lay-off, and when I did play it was mostly hard rock, 80's, and blues, so this goes in the totally different direction of what I'm used to. Thx to all.

kesslari · #2 04-06-2010, 05:25 PM

Listen to a lot of songs, and cop basslines.
The term "riddims" in this context usually means popular dancehall tunes that are all based on the same rhythm tracks (different DJ's toasting, or rapping, over the same tune).
the "Murderer" riddim is one. The "Pass the Kutchie" riddim is another. My brain is toast after a long day of work, so those are the two that come to mind. I don't have the energy to search for links for you. If you're really stuck, PM me and we can do a session via skype and I'll teach them to you. Who knows, I may even remember a few more by then.

the general · #3 04-06-2010, 05:28 PM

just remember thats what reggae is for bass, its "riddums". the bass is very important in reggae. but i'm assuming this band will probably be playing songs from bob marley, slightly stoopid, sublime maybe, etc. my suggestion is pick some songs, like stuff from bob marley, and try to play a few songs. after that the rest should come easy. i'd say try these songs:
Slightly Stoopid - This Joint
Bob Marley - Three Little Birds
Burning Spears - Slavery Days

Jluckie3 · #4 04-06-2010, 05:48 PM

just listen to the pulse of the music, feel it's soul and you will be fine. just remember playing reggae is as much about what you don't play as what you do.

Sounbwoy · #5 04-06-2010, 08:32 PM

Best thing is to get an idea of what songs the band will be playing, then find those songs for a reference. There are so many songs and riddims out, it hard to say but here are some suggestions. Most of these are on You Tube as well
Sleng Teng - '80's era
Lioness on the Rise - Queen Ifrica (current)
Answer Riddim - old-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2LZ9c7JBM8 and not so old :-) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqF8-gnwy5E
Fifth Element riddim - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gswi3ryfF-0
New Chapter Riddim (aka Genius) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvBY-ND6pKg
EDIT: One more and my FAVORITE still: Morgan Heritage - Love You Right - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERrs5D7shAE

So many more out there. Get the band list first...it'll make your life easier

bass12 · #6 04-06-2010, 08:40 PM

Most of the riddims that have been versioned countless times are from Studio
One. Pick up as many Studio One compilations as you can and you'll have a good place to start. Of course, there are many other riddims out there that don't have their origins in Studio One ("Sleng Teng" and "Stalag 17" are two classics every reggae bassist will be familiar with). But yeah, start with Studio One.

Woody Relic · #7 04-07-2010, 11:17 PM

Read, read, read Ed Friedland's "Reggae Bass" book and find and listen to the songs of which he speaks. His book is an excellent and comprehensive introduction to the role of the bass in not just reggae, but the whole history of contemporary Jamaican music, from mento ('50) to ska (early '60s), rocksteady (mid-'60s), reggae (late '60s to mid-'80s and beyond), and more modern styles like dancehall (all dates above are approximate, as styles overlap time periods). Contemporary Jamaican music only spans about 60 years, and the ska era to the present is only about 50 years, so there's not a lot of material with which to become familiar. And the same simple two-bar or four-bar bass line is used throughout the song, so there's only one or maybe two lines to learn per song. If you can play everything in this book, you pretty much know all there is to know to play reggae.

"Riddims," as Friedland explains, are the bass and drum parts--the backing tracks to certain songs. Often in reggae, the backing track of one song is used as the backing track of an entirely different song. Friedland explains this in more detail than I have room for here. The point is that, when you learn one song, you are learning two or three or more songs.

Hal Leonard has a "Bob Marley Bass Collection" book with bass lines from 19 Marley songs--I hope you know that you probably won't get through even one reggae set without playing a Marley tune, as Marley = reggae for most people. (I personally love rocksteady more than reggae, and a generous British cat, bassist Dave from Gravesend, has a wonderful collection under the name "oldwah" on youtube that is a great learning resource, and fun fun listening):

http://www.youtube.com/user/oldwah

Finally, become familiar with the concept of the "one-drop"--you play nothing on the first beat (the "one") of most measures. This is a simplified explanation, but this should become apparent to your ear from listening to even a few reggae tunes.

As another poster pointed out, the Studio One compilations from Heartbeat Records have many essential tunes. "The Best of Studio One" and "Full Up: More Hits from Studio One" fall into this category. "Downbeat the Ruler: Killer Instrumentals from Studio One" has backing tracks (the "riddums"), some of which you will recognize from the vocal songs on "Best" and "Full Up." And Trojan Records' 3-CD "Rocksteady" box set has a wealth of hits. "Best" and "Full Up" contain many of the songs that Friedland refers to. Add "Downbeat" and the rocksteady box and get "Legend" by Bob Marley, and you should be covered. Listen (don't just "hear"), allow hips and feet to get into the groove (reggae is definitely a "feel" music), and absorb.

Do get the reggae band's set list, because they may have more modern tunes that I haven't covered here. But the above should give you a solid foundation.

Hope that helps.

JayB · #8 04-07-2010, 11:26 PM

Lots of good info in this thread already. A few more that always get called at my reggae gig -

Columbus Riddim -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrPfI...os=ajlE8pbLa8k

Queen Majesty Riddim -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX7c4...os=tO8kuxp6xo8

Hypocrites Riddim -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY3NW...os=4zwJfz898lI

hwystar · #9 04-08-2010, 12:57 PM

Thx for all the help guys, it is appreciated, I know that "one-drop" is gonna drive me nuts, kinda goes against the norm for me know, thx again.

FromTheBassMent · #10 04-08-2010, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hwystar

Thx for all the help guys, it is appreciated, I know that "one-drop" is gonna drive me nuts, kinda goes against the norm for me know, thx again.

Not much to add here. Friedland's book is a gem. Most good reggae bassists know LOTS of riddims, and can play them note for note (which is necessary if you're playing for a knowledgeable reggae audience, as THEY will know them note for note!).

Also, my experience, though limited, is that the "one-drop" is a lot less common in reggae than people think. You'll notice in the notation in Friedland's book that relatively few of the riddims have a rest on the one beat.

Have fun... reggae is simply one of the best styles of music for bass players EVER!!

ddshelden · #11 04-08-2010, 01:45 PM

http://www.broz-reggae-tabs.com/index-en.php?on=1

ciudadmarron · #12 04-08-2010, 04:23 PM

Just as crucial a part (if not more) of the one drop though is the drummer hitting everything on that 3rd beat.

I would say it's not necessarily about the bass conforming with both those things but you need to be aware of how what you do interacts with that beat.

Anyway, the Studio One comps mentioned are a good start, you should also check out the 2 Sound Dimension collections available - Jamaica Soul Shake and Mojo Rocksteady - which contain some of the most important riddims, as instrumentals. Learn these and you'll be sweet.

PBassFunk · #13 04-08-2010, 04:31 PM

I'm amazed you want to join a band playing a style you ain't ever been interested in, but that said - check out this awesome resource and good luck: http://baroquedub.co.uk/audio_riddims.php

Sounbwoy · #14 04-08-2010, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FromTheBassMent

Also, my experience, though limited, is that the "one-drop" is a lot less common in reggae than people think. You'll notice in the notation in Friedland's book that relatively few of the riddims have a rest on the one beat.

I'd have to disagree with that. Either way, you'll hear a variety. The most common are:
One Drop (if you think about it and go with the bass drum, the beat is on 2 & 4)
Steppers: (1,2,3,4)
Buff Baff (1,3)
Either way, you'll have fun, and congrats for jumping into something new.

Schlyder · #15 04-08-2010, 06:44 PM

+1 or should it be -1 LOL
- ONE DROP... avoid playing anything on the 1 and make it groove.
- Play off the upbeat of the one beat... one AND

bass12 · #16 04-10-2010, 03:57 PM

As far as I know - and I've done a fair bit of research on this - "one drop" refers specifically to a drum pattern (and not to the idea of not playing bass on the first beat of the bar). + 1 to Soundbwoy's last post.

ciudadmarron · #17 04-10-2010, 06:28 PM

I haven't done the research but I always assumed the one drop didn't refer to the dropping of the first beat but rather there being one beat dropped into the bar, on the 3rd - snare and bass drum together dropping in as it were.

This is opposed to a rockers beat where it rocks between 1st and 3rd or a a steppers beat where it steps on every beat.

bass12 · #18 04-10-2010, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ciudadmarron

I haven't done the research but I always assumed the one drop didn't refer to the dropping of the first beat but rather there being one beat dropped into the bar, on the 3rd - snare and bass drum together dropping in as it were.

This is opposed to a rockers beat where it rocks between 1st and 3rd or a a steppers beat where it steps on every beat.

Terminology on reggae drum beats is not always clear. "Rockers", for example, does not necessarily mean a "rock" style beat (bass drum on 1 and 3). A lot of people use the terms "rockers" and "steppers" interchangeably. To this day, the most detailed description that I've heard a reggae historian give of "rockers" is "a more militant style of drumming". Doesn't say much, does it? As with a lot of very localised styles, different people from within the scene will have different definitions for certain terms. Ask one drummer what "rockers" is and he'll tell you one thing, ask another and he'll tell you something different (there does not, however, seem to be much dispute as far as the one drop and steppers patterns are concerned).

ciudadmarron · #19 04-10-2010, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass12

Terminology on reggae drum beats is not always clear. "Rockers", for example, does not necessarily mean a "rock" style beat (bass drum on 1 and 3). A lot of people use the terms "rockers" and "steppers" interchangeably. To this day, the most detailed description that I've heard a reggae historian give of "rockers" is "a more militant style of drumming". Doesn't say much, does it? As with a lot of very localised styles, different people from within the scene will have different definitions for certain terms. Ask one drummer what "rockers" is and he'll tell you one thing, ask another and he'll tell you something different (there does not, however, seem to be much dispute as far as the one drop and steppers patterns are concerned).

There certainly is a lot of mythology around the terminology.

See, again, with nothing to go by, I always thought rockers was more closely related to that rocksteady beat which sort of lurches from one to three, albeit with the emphasis on the third.

In the end of course it's all semantics... you can't get the groove or the feeling by talking about it, and pinning down a definition is no help if you can't hear it to play it.

Sounbwoy · #20 04-11-2010, 11:52 AM

If you guys can find a TV station that plays the "Music Voyager" series, you can see a good explanation and demonstration from none other than Ernest Ranglin, Sly Dunbar and others. "Music Voyager-Jamaica".
One more thing. The term "Rockers" is more associated with an "era" and sound of reggae music than it does to a specific beat (Think Jacob Miller, Burning Spear, the Rockers movie, et. al).
True, rockers is associated more with a steppers beat, but pretty much all reggae music from circa 1974 up to around '78 or so was known interchangeably as "Rockers" or "Reggae". The sound changed again, especially when Sly & Robbie started Taxi and had a string of hits with Black Uhuru, Dennis Brown, Jimmy Riley (Tarrus Riley's father) and others. As a sidenote, "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" by Black Uhuru uses a Steppers beat, but NO ONE would ever refer to that song as "Rockers".
As far as counting beats, most Jamaican reggae musicians use the bass drum as the reference. That's just how it is. And don't forget that in One Drop, the snare (rimshot) is the SAME beat as the bass drum.