Steel Pan – Reggae Style Lesson Objective – to identify and discuss the origins and key characteristics of reggae music and to learn to play Bob Marley’s ‘Three Little Birds’ on steel pan.

Where Reggae Music Was Born

REGGAE ROOTS: MENTO Mento is a form of Jamaican folk music Mento songs tended to describe and made fun of local events and people, much like calypso in Trinidad and Tobago. Mento songs are accompanied by the banjo, guitar, percussion and string bass. Banjo plays fast, offbeat chords, while other instruments play their own syncopated rhythms.

REGGAE ROOTS: SKA Ska was developed from Mento and emerged in the 1960s. Ska music is fast with off-beat rhythms. Ska music uses amplified and electric instruments. (guitar, keyboards, bass) Ska songs were about local issues.

REGGAE ROOTS: ROCK STEADY Rock Steady came after Ska in the mid 1960s. It is slower than Ska Rock Steady makes more use of bass riffs but still has the off-beat chords. The lyrics of Rock Steady songs are still concerned with social issues.

REGGAE MUSIC Rock Steady gave way to the new sound of Reggae in the late 1960s. Reggae music is often in slow quadruple time with accents on the 2nd and 4th beats. Riffs played on bass guitar or keyboards. Harmonies are often limited to a few simple chords.

A song written and performed by Three Little Birds A song written and performed by

Three Little Birds Sing Along Chorus Don’t worry, ‘bout a thing, Cause ev’ry little things, gonna be alright Singing don’t worry, ‘bout a thing, Verse Woke up this mornin’ Smile with the rising sun, Three little birds, sat by my window, Singing sweet songs, of melodies pure and true Singing, this is my message to you…

Characteristics of Reggae Music Off Beat Chords Syncopated Rhythms Riffs (Bass Line especially) Simple Chord Progression Verse Chorus Structure

Three Little Birds Chord Progression Intro ( Play each chord on the + sign (off-beat) 4 times counting 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +) A / / / A / / / A / / / A / / / (4 x 4 = 16 times) 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + Chorus A / / / A / / / D / / / A / / / A / / / A / / / D / / / A / / / Verse A / / / E / / / A / / / D / / / A / / / E / / / D / / / A / / /

Three Little Birds Bass Riff The riff is a short melodic figure which is repeated through out the piece. Bass instruments will play this one whenever there is an A major chord.

Three Little Birds Bass Riff When the chord changes the riff is transposed. (Same melody but on a new note) Bass instruments will play this one whenever there is a D major chord.

Three Little Birds Bass Riff Bass instruments will play this one whenever there is an E major chord.

Three Little Birds Keyboard Riff This song also has a riff for organ / keyboard. It is only heard in the Chorus. It begins on Beat 2 ( a weak beat). This is an example of Syncopation. Play this when ever there is an A major chord.

Three Little Birds Keyboard Riff Play this when ever there is a D major chord.

Performance Time!!! Try playing the Introduction and Chorus of Three Little Birds together on the Steel Pans

PLENARY What were the styles of music that we learnt about today? R _ _ _ S_ _ _ _ _ R _ _ _ _ _