Reggae is a style of music that entered the music scene in the 1960s from Jamaica (an island in the Carribean) and became a popular international music genre by the 1970s. It supposednly evolved from the popular genres of 'Ska' and 'Rocksteady' which were prominent throughout the 50s. 

 

Reggae music is highly syncopated, with an emphacis in the drums on every 2nd and 4th beat (if the piece is written in 4/4 time). Guitars also feature with a double stroke guitar strum on the off-beats as well. The lyrics often feature with socio-political themes, where the technique of 'toasting' is often heard. 'Toasting' stems from the Reggae-style introduction or commentary that sometimes appears at the beginning or during a song. It is similar to rap, however often toasting is done so with some melodic features rather than predominately spoken (like rap).

 

Commonly, Reggae music opens with some form of a drum introduction, and the mood that follows is often quite relaxed and steady. Percussion and rhythm is significant in Reggae music, with a common percussive instrument being the cowbell. The drumming patterns in Reggae are quite distinctive.

 

http://www.britannica.com/art/reggae

http://thereggaskas.com/history-of-reggae/

 

Lets have a listen to a typical drumming pattern:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activity 1:

 

 

Have a listen to the audio below. As a group you must notate the drumbeat on the stave provided in your portfolio. As you will hear, there will be more than one drum is this audio. Therefore you must distinguish between the 2 different pitches of percussion and notate either in one part (circling notes from one drum), or separate parts. You MUST do this as a group, so that those who are unfamiliar with notation may learn from those of you who are. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After notating, learn this beat on Percussion instruments at station (or using desks/chairs etc)....

 

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You must then try to come up with 3 other syncopated drum beats as a group.

 

Record these beats in your portfolios or by recording into GarageBand (saving in 'Reggae syncopated beats' file).

 

After these are composed, layer your beats on top on the audio above... record and save in the same file listed. Make sure your group names are saved in the file name.

 

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After exploring these Carribean (Reggae) musical features,   listen to the following two audio files and compare the Carribean characteristics present (or absent) in each.

 

These two audios demonstrate Reggae features in both popular Carribean music and Traditional Reggae-style music.

 

Record your observations in your portfolios. 

 

Audio 1: Don Carlos, "At the Bus Stop" (1982)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audio 2: Don Omar - Danza kuduro (2010)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Project! 

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Listen to the following audio of Bob Marley's "One Love" (1977) and discuss the questions in your protfolio with your group.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your task is to recreate this song, as a group, using the instruments at your station.

The song includes drums, percussion, vocals (with harmonies/backup vocals), piano, and bass guitar. These instruments should be available at your station. Organise instrumental roles within your group and try to challenge yourselves with instrument choice! 

You may need some time to create this track, however once you have finished (or your time at the station is nearing to a close), record what you have done into a GarageBand file and save under the file "One Love Cover" in your music class files. Don't forget to include which group you are in the file name. 
Every member should have a role in this task. If some of you are more confident on insturments, assist others. 

 

The aim of this task is to learn the song aurally, however the lyrics and chords will be provided here to assist you. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/b/bob_marley/one_love_ver2_crd.htm

 

 

If you are struggling with the drum part watch the following video to assist you:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXTENSION ACTIVITY:

 

If you have completed the music cover and recording, adn have extra time, listen to the melody of "One Love" again. Your task is to change/alter the melody around individually to create your own version of the song.

 

This may include changing dynamics, addition or subtraction of notes, variations of the melody, different rhythm, augmentation, etc. Notate or record as they wish. (This may be recorded through notation or an audio recording through GarageBand).

 

Each person performs their new "One Love" melody on any instrument of their choosing (or sung), while the remaining group accompanies with one of the percussion beats composed previously, that is suitable to the new melody (to the speed dictated by the soloist).

 

 

 

 

 

NEXT STATION!!