Help Please...


pizzicatopicker
Registered User
Joined: 07/19/06
Posts: 142
pizzicatopicker
Registered User
Joined: 07/19/06
Posts: 142
09/11/2006 7:35 pm
I'm joining a reggae group, and I need a little information. First off, let me tell you I know nothing about it, dont listen to it, though I dont hate it or anything, and the only big name I can think of is Marley. To let you know, I'll be plating bass. What I'm doing it for is for the practice with playing with people. What info I would really enjoy is...

1.) Major influencial artists... Im sure Bob M. wasnt the only big name there...

2.)Specific scales... are there any? Ionion and Pentatonic are used everywhere, but of course, there are plenty more.

3.) Any other specifications you guys can think of, any at all would help.
# 1
rockonn91
Registered User
Joined: 01/21/05
Posts: 2,475
rockonn91
Registered User
Joined: 01/21/05
Posts: 2,475
09/11/2006 8:29 pm
oh geez... the bass is so important in reggae... you really should have a good grasp on the technique before even getting into a band.

first off, listen to a couple marley songs. that'll get you going. the bass lines are pretty big; involving practically the whole scale. Similar basslines can be found in jazz or ska, if you listen to eaither.
JK :cool:

-Agile Guitars Enthusiast
# 2
Grambo
halfway to somewhere
Joined: 03/06/05
Posts: 983
Grambo
halfway to somewhere
Joined: 03/06/05
Posts: 983
09/11/2006 9:37 pm
In Reggae you strum in between drumbeats.
I've spent a lot of hours in reggae clubs and some of the Bass sounds are amazing.
The Police were an interesting band - some how they combined reggae and rock.
I think Sting is worth Ā£185 million.

Strum normally but purposely miss the downstroke and strike the chord on the upstroke..
if you always take the lazy route
The Devil knows your every move ![COLOR=RoyalBlue]
# 3
Grambo
halfway to somewhere
Joined: 03/06/05
Posts: 983
Grambo
halfway to somewhere
Joined: 03/06/05
Posts: 983
09/11/2006 10:10 pm
Eventually you'll strike the chord on a dowstroke in between the drumbeats.
if you always take the lazy route
The Devil knows your every move ![COLOR=RoyalBlue]
# 4
hunter60
Humble student
Joined: 06/12/05
Posts: 1,579
hunter60
Humble student
Joined: 06/12/05
Posts: 1,579
09/12/2006 12:56 am
Try listening to Peter Tosh and Black Uhuru (Sly and Robbie) as well.

Good luck! :)
[FONT=Tahoma]"All I can do is be me ... whoever that is". Bob Dylan [/FONT]
# 5
ren
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Joined: 02/03/05
Posts: 1,985
ren
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Posts: 1,985
09/12/2006 8:45 am
It's all about syncopation. Also, most of the reggae I've heard (which isn't much!) was in a major key...

Check out my music, video, lessons & backing tracks here![br]https://www.renhimself.com

# 6
Krunek
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Joined: 06/18/06
Posts: 337
Krunek
Registered User
Joined: 06/18/06
Posts: 337
09/12/2006 9:32 am
Originally Posted by: rockonn91oh geez... the bass is so important in reggae... you really should have a good grasp on the technique before even getting into a band.

first off, listen to a couple marley songs. that'll get you going. the bass lines are pretty big; involving practically the whole scale. Similar basslines can be found in jazz or ska, if you listen to eaither.


Yep, bass is really important here... Try listening to some UB 40... And police, i agree... Sting is great.
# 7
pizzicatopicker
Registered User
Joined: 07/19/06
Posts: 142
pizzicatopicker
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Joined: 07/19/06
Posts: 142
09/12/2006 10:28 pm
wowie, thanks guys, heh.
# 8
40ftsmurf
leagalize bluegrass
Joined: 09/01/06
Posts: 59
40ftsmurf
leagalize bluegrass
Joined: 09/01/06
Posts: 59
09/13/2006 1:57 am
You've got to learn how to slap the bass. That's about all I know about it except you have to have weird hair and tie dye shirts. What was the guys name that sang "don't worry. be happy". Good philosopy. (didn't he wind up commiting suicide?)
Favorite quote.....GET OUT THE BEANS!
# 9
rockonn91
Registered User
Joined: 01/21/05
Posts: 2,475
rockonn91
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Joined: 01/21/05
Posts: 2,475
09/13/2006 2:00 am
Originally Posted by: KrunekYep, bass is really important here... Try listening to some UB 40... And police, i agree... Sting is great.

UB40 is great, but alot of the bass is done on synth. its not fullblown reggae. more urban reggae. (is that a genre?)
JK :cool:

-Agile Guitars Enthusiast
# 10
Krunek
Registered User
Joined: 06/18/06
Posts: 337
Krunek
Registered User
Joined: 06/18/06
Posts: 337
09/13/2006 4:27 am
Originally Posted by: rockonn91UB40 is great, but alot of the bass is done on synth. its not fullblown reggae. more urban reggae. (is that a genre?)


Could be... Don"t know. True about the bass on studio albums, but i have a few concerts of theirs... Bassist kicks a$$. Anyhow, that is how the bass is played in reggae. At least in my opinion. :)
# 11
z0s0_jp
Riffologist
Joined: 07/08/05
Posts: 1,584
z0s0_jp
Riffologist
Joined: 07/08/05
Posts: 1,584
09/13/2006 6:02 am
Steel Pulse is my favorite .....great guitar licks...check them out
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7185271062137925862&q=steel+pulse
"Dammit Jim!! I'm a guitarist not a roadie...so haul my gear"
# 12

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