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.
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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!
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