Reggae notation

[bass12]

There seems to be no solid consensus on how to notate reggae drum and bass patterns. For example, some people would notate a "one drop" pattern with the bass drum and snare hitting on the third beat of a bar in 4/4, while others would notate this pattern as falling on the second and fourth beats of a 4/4 bar. Any opinions on the matter?

[rfclef]

toe-may-toe vs. toe-mah-toe.

I don't play a lotta reggae, but I encounter the same type thing in other forms... either works.

[PJSShearer]

Originally Posted by bass12

There seems to be no solid consensus on how to notate reggae drum and bass patterns. For example, some people would notate a "one drop" pattern with the bass drum and snare hitting on the third beat of a bar in 4/4, while others would notate this pattern as falling on the second and fourth beats of a 4/4 bar. Any opinions on the matter?

Wikipedia quotes:

One drop rhythm is a drumset playing style of reggae, popularized by Carlton Barrett (long-time drummer of Bob Marley and the Wailers and The Upsetters), in which the backbeat is characterized by the dominant snare drum stroke (usually a click) and bass drum both sounding on the third beat of every measure in 4/8 time (counting in 4/4 time, the drummer would leave beats one and three open), while beat one is left empty.

[bass12]

Originally Posted by PJSShearer

Wikipedia quotes:

One drop rhythm is a drumset playing style of reggae, popularized by Carlton Barrett (long-time drummer of Bob Marley and the Wailers and The Upsetters), in which the backbeat is characterized by the dominant snare drum stroke (usually a click) and bass drum both sounding on the third beat of every measure in 4/8 time (counting in 4/4 time, the drummer would leave beats one and three open), while beat one is left empty.

Still no consensus.

[BurningSkies]

Originally Posted by PJSShearer

Wikipedia quotes:

One drop rhythm is a drumset playing style of reggae, popularized by Carlton Barrett (long-time drummer of Bob Marley and the Wailers and The Upsetters), in which the backbeat is characterized by the dominant snare drum stroke (usually a click) and bass drum both sounding on the third beat of every measure in 4/8 time (counting in 4/4 time, the drummer would leave beats one and three open), while beat one is left empty.

This is it. If you're counting in 4/4 rather than 8, the one and three lack kick/snare. Generally cross stick with kick on 2 and 4.

[PJSShearer]

I would automatically count it as 4/4 with kick on 2 and 4 - the notation would be cleaner and if you we're unfamilar with the genre it would make more sense as well.

[bass12]

My natural inclination is also to count the measures as 4/4 with a kick on the second and fourth beats. I have rarely, however, seen reggae notated and would like to know what is the most commonly used method for counting measures by those who play a lot of reggae. Thanks for your feedback.

[MakiSupaStar]

Originally Posted by BurningSkies

This is it. If you're counting in 4/4 rather than 8, the one and three lack kick/snare. Generally cross stick with kick on 2 and 4.

+1. This is pretty much how I see it too. I've only started noticing the exact layout of it since I've started creating beats. If you duplicate this in a beatmaking program, you'll hear it.