Editing Reggae (section)

==Musical characteristics==
{{more citations needed section|date=April 2018}}
[[File:Reggae double riff on D and Em64.png|thumb|right|upright=1.6|[[Skank guitar]] rhythm often considered "'the' reggae beat"<ref>Johnston, Richard (2004). ''How to Play Rhythm Guitar'', p.72. {{ISBN|0-87930-811-7}}.</ref>{{audio|Reggae double riff on D and Em64 straight.mid|Play straight}} or {{audio|Reggae double riff on D and Em64 shuffle.mid|Play shuffle}}.]]

Stylistically, reggae incorporates some of the musical elements of [[rhythm and blues]] (R&B), [[jazz]], [[mento]], [[calypso music|calypso]], African, and Latin American music, as well as other genres. Reggae scenes consist of two guitars, one for rhythm and one for lead—drums, congas, and keyboards, with a couple of vocalists.<ref>Lynn, V. M. (18 February 1973). Sound. ''Chicago Tribune''</ref>

Reggae is played in [[time signature|{{music|time|4|4}} time]] because the symmetrical rhythmic pattern does not lend itself to other time signatures such as {{music|time|3|4}}. One of the most easily recognizable elements is offbeat rhythms; staccato chords played by a guitar or piano (or both) on the offbeats of the measure, often referred to as the [[Ska stroke|skank]].<ref>Hombach, Jean-Pierre (2010). ''Bob Marley the Father of Music'', p.14. {{ISBN|9781471620454}}. "Reggae is most easily recognized by...the skank."</ref>

This rhythmic pattern accents the second and fourth beats in each [[bar (music)|bar]] and combines with the drum's emphasis on beat three to create a unique sense of phrasing. The reggae offbeat can be counted so that it falls between each count as an "and" (example: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and ... , etc.) or counted as a half-time feel at twice the tempo so it falls on beats 2 and 4. This is in contrast to the way most other popular genres focus on beat one, the "downbeat".<ref>Levitin, Daniel J. (2006). ''[[This Is Your Brain On Music]]'', pp. 113–114 {{ISBN|978-0-452-28852-2}}.</ref>

The tempo of reggae is usually slower than both [[ska]] and [[rocksteady]].<ref name="All About Jazz"/> It is this slower tempo, the guitar/piano offbeats, the emphasis on the third beat, and the use of [[Syncopation|syncopated]], melodic bass lines that differentiate reggae from other music, although other musical styles have incorporated some of these innovations.

===Drums and other percussion===
[[File:One drop sixteenth-note pattern.png|thumb|right|230px|"One drop" sixteenth-note drum pattern]]
[[File:SlyDunbar1979.png|thumb|left|Sly Dunbar]]
Reggae drummers often involved these three tips for other reggae performers: (1) go for open, ringing tones when playing ska and rocksteady, (2) use any available material to stuff the bass drum so that it tightens up the kick to a deep, punchy thud, and (3) go without a ride cymbal, focusing on the hi-hat for timekeeping and thin crashes with fast decay for accents.<ref>Dawson, M. (2012, 08). Jamaican drum sounds. ''Modern Drummer, 36'', 70.</ref>

===Bass===
[[File:RobbieShakespeare1978.png|thumb|upright|Robbie Shakespeare in 1978]]
[[File:Reggae Bass Line.jpg|thumb|right|280px|In this typical reggae bass line, the roots of the chords are emphasized, with musical interest created by going from the root down to the fifth of the chord. A dotted quarter note and eighth note rhythm is used repeatedly.]]

===Guitars===
[[File:Al Anderson1978.png|thumb|upright=0.85|Al Anderson]]
The [[guitar]] in reggae usually plays on the off beat of the rhythm. So if one is counting in {{music|time|4|4}} time and counting "1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and ...", one would play a downstroke on the "and" part of the beat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reggaeguitarlessons.com/|title=Reggae Guitar Lessons|website=Reggaeguitarlessons.com|access-date=9 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531070416/http://www.reggaeguitarlessons.com/|archive-date=31 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> A musical figure known as [[skank (guitar)|skank]] or the 'bang" has a very dampened, short and scratchy [[chop chord|chop]] sound, almost like a percussion instrument. Sometimes a double chop is used when the guitar still plays the off beats, but also plays the following eighth-note beats on the up-stroke. An example is the intro to "[[Stir It Up]]" by the Wailers. Artist and producer [[Derrick Harriott]] says, "What happened was the musical thing was real widespread, but only among a certain sort of people. It was always a down-town thing, but more than just hearing the music. The equipment was so powerful and the vibe so strong that we feel it."<ref>Bradley, Lloyd. ''This Is Reggae Music: The Story Of Jamaica's Music.'' New York : Grove Press, 2001</ref>

===Keyboards===
The reggae organ-shuffle is unique to reggae. In the original version of reggae, the drummer played a reggae groove that was used in the four bar introduction, allowing the piano to serve as a percussion instrument.<ref>Simon, A. (2006, Summer). Jazz piano stylings: A contemporary approach. ''Piano Today, 26'', 38.</ref>

===Horns===

===Vocals===
[[File:Ali Campbell at Raggamuffin 2009 cropped.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|[[UB40]]'s former frontman [[Ali Campbell]] performing in 2009.]]

====Lyrical themes====
Reggae is noted for its tradition of social criticism in its lyrics, although many reggae songs discuss lighter, more personal subjects, such as love and socializing. Many early reggae bands covered [[Motown]] or [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]] soul and [[funk]] songs. Some reggae lyrics attempt to raise the political consciousness of the audience, such as by criticizing [[Economic materialism|materialism]], or by informing the listener about controversial subjects such as [[apartheid]]. Many reggae songs promote the use of [[cannabis (drug)|cannabis]] (also known as ''herb'', ''ganja'', or ''[[sinsemilla]]''), considered a sacrament in the [[Rastafari#Reggae|Rastafari movement]]. There are many artists who utilize religious themes in their music – whether it be discussing a specific religious topic, or simply giving praise to God ([[Jah]]). Other common socio-political topics in reggae songs include [[black nationalism]], [[anti-racism]], anti-[[colonialism]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.manioc.org/fichiers/HASH5cd4cf20c65d4a87ecfcf5 |title=The 1970's Reggae Revolution: resistance against Western Imperialism by Jeremie Kroubo-Dagnini |website=Manioc.org |date=21 January 2010 |access-date=18 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704024850/http://www.manioc.org/fichiers/HASH5cd4cf20c65d4a87ecfcf5 |archive-date=4 July 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[anti-capitalism]] and criticism of political systems and [[Rastafarian vocabulary#Other words|"Babylon"]].

In recent years, Jamaican (and non-Jamaican) reggae musicians have used more positive themes in reggae music. The music is widely considered a treasured cultural export for Jamaica, so musicians who still desire progress for their island nation have begun focusing on themes of hopefulness, faith, and love. For elementary children, reggae songs such as "Give a Little Love", "One Love", or "Three Little Birds", all written by Bob Marley, can be sung and enjoyed for their optimism and cheerful lyrics.<ref>Mills, Susan W. "Reggae For Standards-Based Music Learning." ''General Music Today'' 17.1 (2003): 11–17. ''Music Index''. Web. 15 February 2016.</ref>

====Criticism of dancehall and reggae lyrics====
{{See also|Stop Murder Music}}
Some dancehall and ragga artists have been criticised for [[homophobia]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.towleroad.com/2007/06/reggae_stars_re.html |title=Reggae Stars Renounce Homophobia, Condemn Anti-gay Violence |website=Towleroad.com |date=13 June 2007 |access-date=18 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925105032/http://www.towleroad.com/2007/06/reggae_stars_re.html |archive-date=25 September 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> including threats of violence.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Most Homophobic Place on Earth?|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1182991,00.html|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=12 April 2006|access-date=18 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619081126/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1182991,00.html|archive-date=19 June 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Buju Banton]]'s song "Boom Bye-Bye" states that gays "haffi dead" (have to die). Other notable dancehall artists who have been accused of homophobia include [[Elephant Man (musician)|Elephant Man]], [[Bounty Killer]] and [[Beenie Man]]. The controversy surrounding anti-gay lyrics has led to the cancellation of UK tours by Beenie Man and Sizzla. Toronto, Canada has also seen the cancellation of concerts due to artists such as Elephant Man and Sizzla refusing to conform to similar censorship pressures.<ref>{{cite news |title=Reggae's Elephant Man nixed from Toronto concert |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/reggae-s-elephant-man-nixed-from-toronto-concert-1.864382 |work=CBC News |date=30 July 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dancehall.mobi/2009/04/09/sizzla-refuses-to-bow-toronto-show-cancelled/ |title=Sizzla Refuses To 'Bow' – Toronto Show Cancelled |website=Dancehall.mobi |access-date=18 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202221302/https://www.dancehall.mobi/2009/04/09/sizzla-refuses-to-bow-toronto-show-cancelled/ |archive-date=2 December 2013 }}</ref>

After lobbying from the [[Stop Murder Music]] coalition, the dancehall music industry agreed in 2005 to stop releasing songs that promote hatred and violence against gay people.<ref>Flick, Larry, [https://web.archive.org/web/20050715235727/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1589/is_2005_April_12/ai_n13606969 "Gay vs. reggae: the reggae music industry makes changes in response to gay activists' protesting violently homophobic lyrics. The artists have no comment"], The Advocate, 12 April 2005</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/reggae%20industry%20to%20ban%20homophobia |title=Sizzl – Reggae Industry to Ban Homophobia |website=Contactmusic.com |date=8 February 2005 |access-date=18 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112152526/http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/reggae%20industry%20to%20ban%20homophobia |archive-date=12 January 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2007, Beenie Man, [[Sizzla]] and [[Capleton]] signed up to the Reggae Compassionate Act, in a deal brokered with top dancehall promoters and Stop Murder Music activists. They renounced homophobia and agreed to "not make statements or perform songs that incite hatred or violence against anyone from any community". Five artists targeted by the anti-homophobia campaign did not sign up to the act, including Elephant Man, [[T.O.K.|TOK]], Bounty Killa and [[Vybz Kartel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jamaicans.com/news/announcements/Reggaestarsrenouncehomophobia062007.shtml |title=Reggae stars renounce homophobia – Beenie Man, Sizzla and Capleton sign deal |website=Jamaicans.com |access-date=18 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429190141/http://www.jamaicans.com/news/announcements/Reggaestarsrenouncehomophobia062007.shtml |archive-date=29 April 2013 }}</ref> Buju Banton and Beenie Man both gained positive press coverage around the world for publicly renouncing homophobia by signing the Reggae Compassion Act. However, both of these artists have since denied any involvement in anti-homophobia work and both deny having signed any such act.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-5028.html/ |title=Peter Tatchell stands by Beenie Man and Banton signatures |website=PinkNews.co.uk |date=26 July 2007 |access-date=29 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629101413/http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-5028.html |archive-date=29 June 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>