Music Characteristics

Reggae music is largely influenced by African and Caribbean music. It is a combination of the two that makes up this beautiful genre of music. American rhythm and blues music also contributed to the sounds of reggae later on. The music is characterized as a walking base line accentuated by off beat guitar riffs and sometimes offbeat jazz horn riffs. Although the music is derived from the ska genre, it was intentionally slowed down and played at half speed, supposedly because the people preferred to dance at a slower speed. Harmonically, the music is very simple and doe not contain many fancy notes or melodies, making it a smooth sound for anyone to enjoy because it is not very complex. Because of the fact that many reggae songs do not have more than one or two chords to a song, it is considered to be very hypnotic.

A standard drum kit is common for this type of music but traditionally steel drums are the most appropriate because they give that tropical, feel to the music. Reggae drums use only three types of beats; one drop, which is a hollow note, Rockers, where the emphasis is in the first note and Steppers, where four solid beats are played in a bar. The bass guitar is very important to reggae music and it has contributed to much of the sound and rhythms. Many artists have produced multiple songs over the same rhythm because they are so simple and easily flow. The bass guitar is thick and heavy sounding so that it melts into the rest of the harmonies and rhythms. The higher notes are equalized so that they are invisible and the lower tones are then emphasized.

The vocals are a very big part of reggae as they are where the message lies. Most often times, the lyrics pertain to political woes of the country or are, in general, notes of happiness, which can be heard in such songs as "Three Little Birds," by Bob Marley.