In this lesson you'll learn how to play Reggae
music in the Bob Marley classic "Could You Be Loved".
Reggae is a popular music of Jamaican origin
having elements of calypso and rhythm and blues, characterized by a
strongly accentuated offbeat. The offbeat is the 2nd and 4th
beats of a measure. Most songs in other genres emphasis the 1st and
3rd beats. This accent on the offbeat is what gives Reggae it's unique
sound.
Hear This Lesson:
Guitar 1
In Reggae the offbeat is usually accentuated with a rhythm guitar,
as in the case with "Could You Be Loved". There is a single
guitar playing the chords on the off beats.
Video
In the video you can see me making a downward motion with my picking
hand on the down beat, but I don't come in contact with the strings
until the upbeat when my arm makes an upwards motion. It's in this motion
that I play the chord. Maybe putting it in the perspective of the physical
arm motion will help you understand the "downbeat" and "upbeat".
Guitar 2
The second guitar part is very particular about the rhythm, and is
by far the hardest part to play. In the first two measures use
a slight palm mute. To do this you'll
rest the heel of your picking hand lightly on the strings just
before the bridge and apply a little pressure as you pick the
string. This will create a slightly muffled tone for the notes.
It's mostly quick 16th notes. Try a down up down up picking
pattern.
