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It wasn’t until the mid seventies that reggae was widely recognized in North America. Producers such as Lee “Scratch” Perry are usually credited with Reggae’s widespread acceptance. In 1968, the Beatles were actually borrowing the drum grooves of reggae, which has a hypnotic sound, mostly in the 4/4 time signature.

Carlton Barrett of Bob Marley & the Wailers is often credited with creating the One Drop reggae drum groove, which – played on a standard drum kit – is signified by a completely empty first beat and the emphasis on the third beat. Barrett is also known for incorporating a triplet hihat rhythm in the beats, giving many of the Wailers’ songs a shuffle-like feel.

The Rockers Beat is often credited to drummer Sly Dunbar and bassist Robbie Shakespeare. Rockers is known for more emphasis on the first beat – often with a bass drum, in addition to the third beat. A good example is The Mighty Diamonds’ tune The Right Time, with Sly Dunbar behind the drums. Steppers is the last type of reggae groove, with a bass drum playing all four beats of the bar. Four on the Floor is another name for the Steppers beat.

Attempting to play the reggae beat requires placing emphasis on beat three as opposed to 2 and 4 in standard music. Use a bass drum with a snare on beat three it emphasizes the rhythm. You don’t have to be simplistic you can use complex patterns but ensure that that beat three is always the dominant beat. The emphasis on beat three carries through all three types of reggae drum beats.

Dub is a sound pioneered by Lee Scratch Perry and King Tubby and relies heavily on studio mixing that brings out the drum and bass lines. Though the actual beat may not differ from the main three types the remixing techniques used and the reggae beat produced have earned the Dub sound its own subgenre and which through the miracle of modern software can be reproduced in a home studio at least in part.

Though a regular drum set can easily be used, the snare needs to have a higher pitch to get a reggae sound. Using a second snare or a timbale can add variety to the drum beats. In addition, side sticks and rim shots are used freely in the reggae drumbeat. You can and should even add a larger variety of percussive instruments sounds such as the conga, the claves, shakers or cowbells to add interest and a counter rhythm. Whether you have an acoustic drum kit or are using computer software and a keyboard to synthesize the reggae beat the most important parts are the beat 3 and to vary it, have fun it is not a simple pattern with no variations but instead its own driving beat that is fascinating and complex.

Interested in reggae drumming? Take a look at OddGrooves Reggae drum loops