Learning to Play Reggae

[paparoof]

ya got me wantin to play in a reggae band now. I've never even tried, but listened to a (lot) of reggae in my years. I've always pictured reggae bass as a kid playing on a short staircase leaping up and down between the steps.

make yourself invaluable to the band, then slowly start letting your inner Jamerson and Norwood Fisher shine through. nothing wrong with adding a little well-placed color into it. As long as you don't lose the groove.

man, don't ever lose the groove.

 

[gmarcus]

The only real advice I can provide is that you and the drummer need to be able to complete each others sentences like an old married couple... There is simply no substitute short of brilliance for logging the hours. IMO it's more about give and less about take... Or maybe that's another way to say space...

I agree totally with this. We were only playing together for a couple of weeks when I made that recording. He is such an awesome drummer! We haven't quite made the mind meld yet. There is also a percussionist who just makes it for the shows, we have a long way to go, but its starting to happen. They both have big ears, but also know how the song is supposed to go so they toe that line between reacting to me and pushing me in the right direction. I'm trying to listen to everything and remember how the songs go.

 

[gmarcus]

I've always pictured reggae bass as a kid playing on a short staircase leaping up and down between the steps.

That is awesome I can see and hear that! I saw a reggae band in Hawaii and the bass player was this legit Rastaman. He kind of stalked his way around the back of the stage like a cat when he played. Lifting his knees up and high stepping really slowly with the beat and looking around like he was amazed (probably was )

 

[Mystic Michael]

In reggae, the emphasis is on beat 3 - not beat one, as in rock or pop music.

Remember: 3.

Also, pay attention to your release as well as to your attack. Maybe even more so. Make the release very clean, and make sure to put it in precisely the right place - every time.

MM

 

[Mike Sorr]

While we're on the subject of reggae, what are everyone's thoughts on the best bass for reggae? I know Aston "Family Man" Barrett has used Jazz basses for the most part. But he has also used Steinbergers and quite a few others. I have noticed that headless basses seem to be favored by quite a few reggae bassists and I have always wondered why that is. I assumed it is because the old composite Steinbergers were more stable in the humid climates of the islands. Lastly, do you think a 5 string is mandatory equipment for a reggae bassist?

 

[bass12]

In reggae, the emphasis is on beat 3 - not beat one, as in rock or pop music.

Remember: 3.

Also, pay attention to your release as well as to your attack. Maybe even more so. Make the release very clean, and make sure to put it in precisely the right place - every time.

MM

A lot of reggae bass lines place emphasis on the one, especially with a boof baff (kick on one and three, snare on two and four) or steppers pattern.

To the OP, learn as many classic bass lines as you can. Knowing one's "riddims" is essential for a reggae bassist as they are constantly referenced in the world of reggae. Transcribing classic bass lines will also give you a really clear idea of the vocabulary and note placement commonly used by reggae bassists. Here are some classics to get you started:

- "Real Rock"
- "Stalag 17"
- "Heavenless"
- "The Answer"
- "Throw Me Corn"
- "Sleng Teng"
- "Rougher Yet"
- "Pressure & Slide"
- "Pick Up The Pieces"

 

[bass12]

While we're on the subject of reggae, what are everyone's thoughts on the best bass for reggae? I know Aston "Family Man" Barrett has used Jazz basses for the most part. But he has also used Steinbergers and quite a few others. I have noticed that headless basses seem to be favored by quite a few reggae bassists and I have always wondered why that is. I assumed it is because the old composite Steinbergers were more stable in the humid climates of the islands. Lastly, do you think a 5 string is mandatory equipment for a reggae bassist?

Steinbergers were trendy for a while in the 80s and I think that probably had more to do with their popularity than the stability of graphite did - though I could be wrong. Is a 5 string mandatory? Depends on the gigs you're playing but a lot of guys in the reggae world do use them now and I have been specifically asked to bring a 5 string when playing reggae. But as long as your bass has clear low mids you should be fine (all boom is no good - you need to be able to make out the notes because the bass line is generally a big part of the song).

 

[Mike Sorr]

Steinbergers were trendy for a while in the 80s and I think that probably had more to do with their popularity than the stability of graphite did - though I could be wrong. Is a 5 string mandatory? Depends on the gigs you're playing but a lot of guys in the reggae world do use them now and I have been specifically asked to bring a 5 string when playing reggae. But as long as your bass has clear low mids you should be fine (all boom is no good - you need to be able to make out the notes because the bass line is generally a big part of the song).

Interestingly, I've played on reggae gigs where note clarity was considered secondary to moving lots of air. I was told that the audience want to feel the bass in preference to hearing it. I even thought of adding a pickup at the neck of my 5 string to even further promote lowness, especially since I pluck right at the neck joint. For reggae gigs I have used an Eden 4x10 over a 1x18 with a Trace Elliot GP11 AH240. That moves some serious air.

 

[bass12]

Interestingly, I've played on reggae gigs where note clarity was considered secondary to moving lots of air. I was told that the audience want to feel the bass in preference to hearing it. I even thought of adding a pickup at the neck of my 5 string to even further promote lowness, especially since I pluck right at the neck joint. For reggae gigs I have used an Eden 4x10 over a 1x18 with a Trace Elliot GP11 AH240. That moves some serious air.

Well, as I see it, it's the soundman's job to see that people in the audience feel the bass. Of course, the guys on stage like to feel it too but you have to hear the notes. Change the bass line and, in most cases, you change the riddim - so not being able to hear the notes just doesn't make sense. But that's the trick - having a sound that is thick and can be felt while maintaining note clarity. My favourite bass for playing reggae is actually my swamp ash/wenge/wenge MTD 535 with dead strings. It has a really thick, deep bass sound with a natural compression that means the low end stays tight enough for note clarity. Most people probably wouldn't think MTD when they think reggae but this particular one works great.

 

[gmarcus]

The first thing my band leader said at my first practice was "good you play a five string". I have a Jazz and a P. I think the jazz sounds a little more interesting, but I play better on the P and its about 2 lbs lighter so that is what I play for now. Once the band is locked in either one works. The P is more earthy.

Thanks for all of the advice so far! We picked up a string of paying gigs at the Barking Crab on the water front in Boston. Almost every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday until September! I'll be playing most of the shows but I have to miss a few and will be replaced by the piano players left hand.

 

[gmarcus]

My band doesn't directly reference classic riddims because it is all original. Although I'm sure they are in there. Some of the lines are weird on bass because they we're written on piano, but it has been a good way to break out of old standby patterns.

 

[AndrewFord]

I have the Friedland book. Ed's written some stone classics, but frankly, this isn't one of them. This isn't "Building Reggae Bass Lines" (I'm referencing his essential "Building Walking Bass Lines" here). This is just a book of riffs. And they're wrong (deliberately, I assume). Each one says something like "in the style of I Shot The Sheriff" and there are a few wrong (yet workable) notes. I assume this is for copyright reasons. While the book does give a basic overview of the history of the music, it's not terribly in-depth. What you're left with is a compendium of mis-transcribed song fragments. Not terribly useful, IMHO.

I have to defend Ed's concept here though I have not read his book. When we are teaching a style of music one method is to take a classic bass line and sort of make it our own. There are many direct transcriptions that already exist for most classic bass lines, but inserting your own ideas into that line and still making it feel good is the next level. That is when you can see if you have mastered the feel, not just copying the line. So, not to down play straight transcriptions because they are certainly a great first step, but creating lines similar to that line that still feel great is a teaching concept I have used in all my videos and will use in an upcoming reggae video myself.

 

[DBFIU]

gmarcus you sound really good, now you got me wanting to learn reggae basslines.

Does reggae use any specific scale or group of scales to produce the characteristic sound?

 

[Dougie1316]

Keep it laid back and play towards your neck to get that fat sound, don't over do anything. Keep it grooving and make sure you don't always rely on hitting the 1 of each bar, use those chord tones and 5ths to add colour and to hi light the chord if you're not focusing on roots all the way through. Although our job is usually to hit the root to outline the root of the chord, try playing slightly off time and experiment with playing on different beats, it's like your own world I love it! Relax, keep it cool and it'll be easy as pie.

I Shot the Sheriff by Bob Marley and The Wailers is a must if you want a song which pretty much helps sum
up the reggae sound.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I recall a number of years ago I was asked to join a reggae band. I thought the lines were great but when we began rehearsing they kept telling me to pull back, play more behind the beat. That's when it dawned on me that 90% of playing reggae is feel. Sit WAY back and deep in the pocket.

 

[bassrich]

check out a book called the reggae riddim very informative
http://www.amazon.com/The-Reggae-Riddim-Ray-Hitchins/dp/0793566436

 

[Dana R Gregory]

You guys sound great. Good luck. Wish I were back in Boston, I would love to come see you.

 

[gmarcus]

Thanks for all of the feedback and encouragement. Played a couple of gigs last week. We finished really strong both times, still working out some kinks in the show. My in ear monitors are supposed to be here in time for the next show on Thursday. This should make a huge difference. I could barely hear the drums at one gig (guitar speaker right behind my head so I had ear plugs in) and the vocals at the other gig. Its amazing how important it is to hear everything. It will be nice to be in the same sonic room with the rest of the band!

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

check out a book called the reggae riddim very informative
http://www.amazon.com/The-Reggae-Riddim-Ray-Hitchins/dp/0793566436

I own this book but don't have the CD. What's the value of having that? I wrote to Hal Leonard but they don't replace lost CDs.

 

[bassrich]

I own this book but don't have the CD. What's the value of having that? I wrote to Hal Leonard but they don't replace lost CDs.

I don't have the cd either