A Course in Reggae

Learn how to play Reggae with Sly and Robbie and Dennis Bovell, for drummers, bassplayers and guitarplayers.

[@jonathantamba6825]

"Reggae is not just music it's an attitude of mind" what a wise word i heard today ❤💛💚

[@essaysbyken]

I'm a reggae musician and this is the best brief reggae tutorial I've ever seen. I'm glad that all of the elements of the rhythm sections are discussed. Just watching a reggae guitar, reggae bass, or reggae drums tutorial will be a disservice to the player because all of these instruments work closely in tandem. They all must understand one another and each of their roles in the band in order to be successful.

[@kenkovar2647]

exactly, it is so helpful to have the roles of the drummer, bassist and rhythm guitarist spelled out in very practical musical theory terms and also in the techniques the players need to practice. This the only one that I have found so far that makes you think like a band member...I can't wait to check out the funk lesson that they developed.

[@MUUTDITTSPOUMN]

It's like they're tied together at the ends. Like a conga line or centipede of music.

[@deviationblue]

I watch this monthly or so. And it keeps me grounded.

[@thehomefront1905]

Yes and I'm Hendrix, don't know why people have to lie.

[@deviationblue]

@@thehomefront1905 who lied?

[@gfizzle099]

I can't believe how proper everything demonstrated here sounds compared to a lot of the tutorials you get these days. Plus, Sly and Robbie - this is brilliant

[@bluesfortheredsun]

this video is a gem

[@owenkilleen]

The only Reggae Tutorial online I've seen so far that 'shows' and describes the technicalities perfectly. much appreciated.

[@Taxidermistification]

owenkilleen yes, there are very few reggae tutorials. Good ones anyway.

[@garyallen4941]

This used to be on t.v. The programme was called "rock school" bbc 2. 1979. 1984. Every week was different. Loved it. Great insperationalists. Came a cross this video by mistake.. Tear in my eye... Great team.

[@MarkHeng3000]

We gotta petition the BBC to bring Rock School back!!!

[@mensahselasi6065]

I am not done watching this and I feel this is the best tutorial I have ever seen.

[@happygilmoor6838]

Reggae is one of the very, very best genres. I adore it.

[@bsadewitz]

I would sweep the streets in Jamaica for as long as I could stand it if I got to hang out with some of my favorite artists.

[@bsadewitz]

I have been obsessed with it for like 23 years. Everything about it.

[@maccagrabme]

If this was the quality of educational tv back then things have been dumbed down massively since.

[@carltaylor4942]

Yes, unfortunately it's really gone downhill since this show ended. I used to watch every episode.

[@dictatorrich3412]

Thankfully, the quality of educational videos on the internet is great.

[@carltaylor4942]

Dictator Rich Yes - hardly anything worth watching on TV any more but the Internet seems to have replaced it as a source of educational videos.

[@calebfuller4713]

That's so true. Eve of one medium and the dawn of another. Although I will say that if you're into gardening Gardener's World on BBC and Gardening Australia on ABC still keep up the quality. They have become oasis in a desert though... I watch them online and sooner they fully make the switch the better.

[@markmakesmusic1]

I remember watching this when it came out, it was totally awesome, still looks good

[@tgdkls5891]

This is so good. Compare this - which was a mainstream UK TV program 40 years ago - with current programming, and you see how far we've come (i.e. backwards - now you'd have to seek KZbin or specialist channels, while "normal" TV is brain burgers for zombies.

[@alexstrums]

This is amazing! I've always listened to reggae but am only now starting to learn how to play. Something like this would never fly on mainstream tv these days. It requires a lot of attention which I think many place elsewhere. It's not a bad thing, things are just different!

[@mrbillhicks]

I remember this excellent series first broadcast by the BBC in the early 80's..... These guys could play play any genre of music and put the lessons across in a way that made it really interesting and fun to learn.... There was also a great book to accompany the series.... Still have it and still refer to it from time to time.... I wonder if the rest of the series is available to view ? Thanks for sharing.... One love

[@pedromrls6]

Do you remember the name of that program? I'm very interested on watching more episodes, is very entertaining and informative.

[@mrbillhicks]

pedromrls6 The series was called Rockschool. There should be other episodes available to watch on youtube.

[@pedromrls6]

Thank you very much for the information.

[@glenntuneschannel]

Rock school

[@lowfrequency1180]

Miss you, Bill

[@Blue_3rd]

I remember watching this in the early 80s. What a great show!

[@philwilliams953]

Remember this so well. Dry as a bone 6th form college style British TV meets Sly and Robbie. But if you wanted to learn something (and had a VCR) it was essential stuff.

[@shawnhapney8784]

Top 3 of my faves from 'Rock School BBC'.

[@jaysalisbury193]

On guitar and bass I usually play within the boundaries of blues or punk but damn! The way this group of sensational musicians have broken that down makes me feel like stepping out of my comfort zone. Brilliant stuff, thank you for the upload. Very useful to a beginner in the field of reggae! Wonderful.

[@mybloodythanksgiving3040]

I’m an American watching British people talk about Jamaican music

[@Dave1507]

with durch subtitles thrown in sometimes on top of it all :D

[@enzoguglielmino9855]

It have a lot of sense in tha way the music travel around the history

[@indiemissimi_]

one love

[@Gio-qb7uc]

Im a New Zealander reading about an American watching Brits talk about Jamaican music

[@GabrielMeireles13]

@@Gio-qb7uc I'm brazilian reading about a New Zealander talking about an American watching Brits talk about Jamaican music HAHAHAHA

[@sabatino1977]

Great vid. Something about the background setting makes me think of Sesame Street. It's like Sesame Street for musicians.

[@patkelly3966]

Sesame St was for musicians

[@rajanvikram7383]

@@patkelly3966 ye bwa :D

[@UkuleleZen]

Rockschool!! I grew up on this! At age 10-12 we waited & held our breath for each episode...a 13 pt series I think? God Bless...PBS ;)

[@WOMBATLARD]

Rock school. Only time I saw this was when I did a bunk of school. So saw a few. Mint series. Even Midge Ure did a solo. Thanks for the upload. Takes me back many years. Brilliant

[@KtheOperator]

What a show! And praise to Dennis Bovell showing his skills at the end!!!

[@FlyingHat]

my god this is so well written.

[@hostileroots]

ROCKSCHOOL. I saw this when it first aired. Thanks for posting!

[@SeansYTEntertainment]

So thrilled to find this again! Thought I'd lost it. Such a helpful video!

[@derekstocker6661]

I remember this from decades ago, a series called "Rock Club" possibly. This is still very good tutoring and comes across so very well. Memories...

[@derekstocker6661]

@paul lawson Thank you Paul for reviving the old grey matter on this one, that's the programmes I was thinking about.

[@ThomasHope73]

Yes! I remember seeing this program on TV back in the day. 👍

[@discobadgerable]

what an ace tutorial. thanks for sticking it on youtube.

[@SWRealMusic]

best teachers on the internet yet, reggae, you guys explain it really well, Unlike the rest of non jamaican explainers.

[@pickingmybum]

not surprising such a good video lesson is british since the UK is the second home of reggae

[@drifter402]

No it's because of the history. Lots of reggae records were imported to the UK and many people there started making the music.

[@pradheesandeepana]

SuperDeluxeAnuzBleach what ? 🙄

[@clicheguevara5282]

We like Reggae A LOOOOT in Hawaii too. :) The main form of popular music here is called "Jawaiian". It's reggae music with R&B style vocals.

[@elduderino3120]

@@pradheesandeepana watch kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYK7qn5nqt2HptU @10.00 mins in the words of BUNNY LEE no less: "...England is the gateway to real reggae music". Learn some reggae history.

[@kenkovar2647]

@@clicheguevara5282 like rocksteady? 😁😁

[@patkelly3966]

This is from about 1982 I think so it's interesting that it is only a couple years or so from the huge sea change that came to Reggae with the ' Digital ' era.

[@apriltoronto5254]

one of the best reggae-records I was ever listening to and that was ever recorded.... o' man... that energy, the play a fully 50min live concerts without even stopping... sly and robbie in their younger years they were simply brilliant.... and I'm sure they were quite devoted to Bob and rhythm all the same... this vid is cool, too !!

[@georgechristiansen6785]

This is great! Thank you for posting.

[@peterjosvai9804]

amazing, truly authentic... linking you (through cultures, races, and time) to the roots of what's this educational is about: reggae and ska... the playing style, as well as the thinking and the attitude... such a fine and true introduction...

[@TreasureIsleWM2011]

Still very inspiring vid - 30 years ago or so, it inspired me to learn reggae guitar. Big up!!!

[@AdrianDMarti]

This is pure gold! Thanks!

[@RasWouto]

That's amazing these live dubs!!! give thanks give thanks, very good introduction

[@frkzoid]

Wow, I didnt' know Reggae has this many elements. This clip will assist me greatly for a cover I'm doing. Thanks

[@mrfeenix1]

THANK YOU!!!! God I remember this program.. Great TV program

[@brotherlogicrmf2199]

My man on the drums is killing it 💯

[@CarlosAnglada]

This was on PUBLIC TELEVISION - it was called "ROCK SCHOOL" - I'm simply thrilled to have stumbled upon at least ONE episode from back then!

[@kiyahn_tapiki]

Jah, Jahhhh Rastafari thank you very much for the reggae course and lesson. I'm one of many Māoris(indeginous people) of New Zealand, Aotearoa. We found a place to belong and strive in(at least we thought and think so since the white man(Pakeha) held us back and didnt let us speak our language. I really appreciated watching this as im a young avid keen musician trying to teach myself the reggae guitar and bass mainly. Thanks so much for uploading this what a gem.

[@SC-dq8dw]

This is brilliant, learned so much. Excellent lesson

[@lapdawg60]

Very well done. So thorough, and explained perfectly.

[@mjstecyk]

great footage, awesome sly and robbie appearance

[@mimicry88]

Great educational info! The outfits make it all that more special.

[@robbieh.9435]

Awesome old video! Love!

[@IanFrancia]

What a video. It explains the techniques so clearly.

[@Millo1868]

Thanks for posting! Awesome stuff!

[@TheYjmfan]

I still have all the recordings from bbc1 rockschool learnt a lot from these, years ago, went to see Henry Thomas in London at a bass clinic

[@khalinras6786]

Yh I saw the bass player at a bass clinic in Birmingham many years ago learnt a lot from them guys thanks for posting

[@markhoward52]

Excellent ! And Dennis is on it 😁

[@garfordgeorge9031]

This is so cool Great musical tips.Please share.Big up all the teaching musicians.Dub Wise.,

[@eddyvideostar]

At 9:38: This is a wonderful projection of information with sheer elegance, grace, and class. You are a very well-spoken young man. Maintain your gracious character and do not get side-tracked.

[@jonescrusher1]

love the Dennis Bovell footage.

[@2011littlejohn1]

If memory serves me well a West Indian friend in 1964 introduced me to another facet of this music he called it Blue Beat.

[@RadityoPramAdi]

Really enjoy this. Thnks for posting.

[@bobsiddoway]

What a well-made, super detailed video!

[@kijekuyo9494]

Wow, from deep in my past, Rock School! In the US, it was on PBS, I believe. I watched every episode. It was my first lesson in reggae (other than what I could learn by listening to it), and I learned important concepts for playing the blues, such as harmonic tension.

[@CarlosAnglada]

Loved it!

[@philwilliams953]

Denis Bovell, legend

[@zionee1]

I was just thinking that he’s a beast

[@gswizzle3714]

What an incredible group of musicians and fantastic tutorial. I am a reggae musician and I have a hard time explaining to my friends how to play the various rhythms in reggae. This lays it all out demonstraing the techniques by masterful reggae artists. Thank you so much for this beautiful video!

[@mixreid6784]

WOW, for some reason I was thinking about this episode of this programme a couple of weeks ago..

[@mercyfald]

best video lesson that i ever seen! Thanks to creattors of this one!

[@glenfordgreen3277]

Yo this is good, I remember watching this in the 1980's

[@JuniorRodigan]

The song that SLY DUNBAR is referencing at from 7:40 - 8:50 is called HEART MADE OF STONE by THE VICEROYS released around 1981-82 . . . check it out on KZbin . . ps. Absoultley LOVE this clip.

[@MichelConci]

Interesting and educational. I remember this vaguely. I only heard later that there is a difference between rockers and steppers (former 2 bass drum on a bar, latter 4), and that mento already had a "kerchanga" (guitar) sound, but that's nitpicking. Great upload.

[@whymonkeymusic]

brilliant, brilliant lecture

[@siredward2263]

I learned a lot. Great video

[@bens4295]

This amazing video makes me feel da Jah

[@bfle4736]

thanx, excellent lesson

[@lptomtom]

Excellent video! Sly and Robbie look so baked though, I wonder how they manage to stay awake...

[@lextual]

The word back when Sly and Robbie were most prolific, that they DID NOT use drugs/get high. They worked so hard they needed to be focused...

[@memalley]

this is amazing. thanks

[@marksadventures3889]

Wow, i remember this on tv as a kid!

[@theliamofella]

Fantastic video

[@damiansantana177]

Nice pretty cool lesson!

[@conanbarbarian3797]

i remember that show very cool...

[@r.wdubero3166]

Dankje voor de upload!

[@pauleferretti]

Wow that’s great Rip Robbie!!

[@grantusguitar1269]

That was awesome

[@user-kk3qb2kz7o]

Reggae SOUL MUSIC !!!

[@alexcabral8725]

ESSE CARA E MUITO BOM IRMÃO SALVE O REGGAE

[@Ixtravague]

A very informative and synthetic document. So valuable ! Thanks a lot

[@oozimusadeeza6770]

Synthetic means fake..you do know that,right? Maybe I'm just misunderstanding what you are trying to say.Maybe you meant exactly what you said.No worries either way.I just wanted to be clear that you understood how your comment was being recieved.Peace, Balance,and Truth.

[@dleauga]

Awesome tutorial! Should've released an album!

[@s90210h]

we need an update on this kind of tv

[@peterjosvai9804]

exactly!! television should be like this... cultural, educational, art- and humanism-centric ... spreading knowledge and a bright attitude...

[@i0like0water]

love that snare

[@AlobytesOgniddove]

"little bit" british... love it! ^^

[@Drevilbreakfast]

Great to watch again

[@mhbass]

I remember when this episode aired on Rock School.......

[@danaowens30]

Ernest Ranglin is my grandfather. Word pon mi life fi dat. I am David Ranglin 3rd gen of my father. David E.A.Ranglin

[@thelivingroombusker2013]

Interesting video nice one!

[@mickrudeboy6043]

Soooo~ Good !!!

[@philnoble8014]

This is Brilliant!!!!! Love it!!!

[@SkaMasta097]

This group is great! I don't know when this video was made, but it looks like it is from the 1980s or early 1990s.

[@writtenbyraymildo8557]

Earlier 80s. So 1981

[@JamesMesidor]

damn i love this 10 times

[@oran3oran1]

Au début de la vidéo c'est le groupe "black uhuru" qu'on voit l'un des meilleur groupe de reggae mais n'oublions pas les autres comme Steel Pulse , Burning Spear, Third World, Peter Tosh, Toots and the Maytals, Gregory Issacs, U roy , Bunny Wailer, Pablo Moses etc... mais le roi du reggae restera à jamais " BOB MARLEY "

[@iMakeBeats808]

My favorite style is 80s, mainly digi Reggae. and heavy snare.

[@espparkes4803]

Lots of truth of my native reggae !

[@pipeandslippersman]

man, i LOVED rockschool !!!! i wonder what happened to those 3?

[@deancarsononmusic2792]

This was an 80s show but I forget where I saw it definitely english in origin of the video - commonwealth / Jamaica the origin of the Music. Black Uhuru with Sly Robbie, Duckie Simpson singing and Puma Jones (Columbia U NY in the Original Band) in the most advanced line of Reggae that got lost somewhere in transition to inependence perhaps a function of the changing financial dynamics of the music industry. Now we here more reggaeton and dance hall.

[@rf5375]

13:15-13:31 my favourite part.

[@hansvandermeulen5515]

I saw this on dutch tv at the time. Another Rockschool episode was on funk and featured Bootsy Collins talking about the One (that clip is here on yt).

[@how2pick4name]

Goed was dat hè? Funk bass? De basis toon op 1 en voor de rest zoek je het maar uit. :D

[@lisongpidi572]

Great lesson for the youth them to learn fast

[@bbeenn]

Amazing lovely learning experience. Can anyone identify what model of s type guitar she's playing? I love it