Estimated reading time 2 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction
Do you want to learn reggae harmonic progressions? Reggae is known for interesting, laid-back rhythms. We’ll look at easy chords for beginners and regular opens chords for experienced guitarists. Keep reading to discover how to quickly learn reggae guitar chords.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission from purchases made through the links. I’ll only recommend products I use, use in lessons, or ones my students or colleagues have recommended.
How to Quickly Learn Reggae Guitar Chords: Common Reggae Harmonic Progressions
What’s a harmonic progression?
- Harmony basically means the same thing as chord.
- A harmonic progression is where you move from one harmony to the next.
- Many harmonic progressions are associated with particular styles of music.
How do I analyze the progressions?
- Harmonic progressions are typically described using Roman numeral analysis.
- In Roman numeral analysis, the harmonies are given Roman numerals based on which note of the key each harmony is built on.
- A capital Roman numeral indicates that the harmony is major, and a lower-case Roman numeral indicates that the harmony is minor.
For example, a typical reggae harmonic progression is I V vi IV.
- I V vi IV is called a “1, 5, 6, 4” progression.
- In the key of C major, it would be C G Am F. (See the chart below.)
- This means that when you solo, the C major scale will work over this progression.
Mobile users: for best results reading the examples, rotate your screen 90o to the right.
A common reggae variation is I IV V vi.
- I IV V vi is called a “1, 4, 5, 6” progression.
- In C major it would be C F G Am.
For more information on harmonic analysis:
How to Quickly Learn Reggae Guitar Chords: Fingering
Hand Icon (churien.deviantart.com/art/hand-template-blank-272630198) by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0). Modified by Geoffrey Keith.
Beginner Guitarists
- If you’re new to guitar, I suggest you start with the easy versions of the chords and work your way up to the full open versions.
- This will allow you to quickly learn the song in the next section.
- See the hand diagram above for the fingering.
Experienced Guitarists
- If you’re an experienced guitarist, feel free to go right to these open versions.
- Even though F is called “open” this chord is movable, because it has no open strings, and has a small barre.
- This barre is missing from the easy version, which is what makes it simpler to play.
How to Quickly Learn Reggae Guitar Chords: Song
Click the link for the lead sheet for this Bob Marley song.
- Key: C Major
- C, G/B, Am, F
- If you’re new to guitar you can start with the easy versions.
- Then, when you get more proficient, you can try the full open chords.
- To play G/B just mute the sixth string (the fattest one) of the open G chord.
Don’t know the song? Search YouTube and listen to it so you can get the melody in your ear.
Final Thoughts
Takeaway points:
- A common reggae harmonic progression is I V vi IV and a common variation is I IV V vi.
- If you’re new to guitar you can start with the easy versions. Then, when you get more proficient, you can try the full open chords.
- Be sure to try the song in the previous section.
Have fun playing!
What Is Satire and How to Write It
Do you need to know what satire is? Do you want some advice for writing it? Satire is a powerful literary device that will help enhance the impact of your writing, songwriting, and poems. Click “What Is Satire and How to Write It” to learn what it is and how it works. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Read More
Playing the Piano with Color Coded Notes
Do you have a hard time reading piano notes? (Or are you a teacher who has students that struggle with note reading?) Many pianists find note reading a challenge, but especially LD, ADD, and special needs musicians. Read more to learn about playing the piano with color coded notes. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Read More
Learning Differences and Spatial Ability: Part 1
Has your child has been diagnosed with a learning disability? Do you feel confused because your child is so smart, but still struggles to learn? Read more to learn about learning differences and spatial ability. Estimated reading time 6 minutes.
Read More
Singing Rhythm
Do you have a hard time singing rhythm? Would you like to be able to keep time? Music has many aspects, but none so fundamental as notes and rhythms. Without them, the music doesn’t go. However, many vocalists struggle with singing in time. In “Singing Rhythm” we’ll look at different ways to help train you to perform accurately. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
Read More