Reggae strumming (the skank)
Reggae guitar plays short, choppy chords on the off-beats while the bass and drums carry the downbeat.
Live: Am, D, G, C in the Reggae style. Slow it to 0.5× to follow the hand.
How to count it
··✕···✕·
In a 4/4 bar counted 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &, chop the chord on 2 and 4 (or on every &, for a faster ska feel). Nothing on 1.
Meter 4/4, typical tempo around 76 BPM
Tips
- Release the pressure of the fretting hand right after each chop so the chord stops.
- Strum only the top three or four strings.
- Stay relaxed: the space between the chops is the groove.
Use this pattern on your own song
Paste or snap any chord sheet, pick “Reggae” as the style, and the hands play your song with it.
Open the player