Understanding Reggae - Guitar Lesson

[@Woodstock271]

Excellent tutorial! I’ve been playing guitar for over 40 years but never got into Reggae much. Mostly a blues and rock guitarist from Chicago, I found myself spending most of my life in Hawaii. We all love Bob Marley but the locals in Hawaii came up with what they call “Jawaiian music”. A mixture of Jamaican and Hawaiian music. A bastardization I never cared for. The reggae is wrong and the Hawaiian music is wrong. It’s loosely called: “Island Music”. True Hawaiian slack-key players don’t respect it, and true Reggae music players don’t either. What I learned by your tutorial is exactly what was wrong with the way I’ve heard bad reggae played. And I’ve played it wrong as well. Thank you for the correction. The guitar is always on the downstroke and on the “AND” in the beat. The little slides and trills don’t interfere with the AND rhythm. I’ve heard it done right and I’ve heard it done wrong. But until you showed me, I wasn’t sure what the difference was. The double muting is also something I didn’t know. Thank you so much for showing exactly how reggae guitar is supposed to be played. Peace and aloha to you and yours. 🤙🏼

[@TraustiLaufdal]

amazing lesson. 25 yrs here and still learning and evolving

[@mnmgfdhjiuyzxcasdqwere7786]

I don't have respect for old, wrinkled, pretentious musicians who spend their lives lecturing others about what makes 'proper' music. I prefer to enjoy what I'm listening to instead of having a stroke over some meaningless off-beat or upstroke in a song.

[@Woodstock271]

@@mnmgfdhjiuyzxcasdqwere7786, And I don’t respect people who use ageism and physical appearance as a weak justification for disagreement. Other than that, enjoy listening to whatever it is you enjoy listening to. I don’t mean to sound “pretentious” it’s just that when you practice a certain art your entire life, your standards are naturally higher than those who haven’t. Tiny details aren’t overlooked in the proficient but go unnoticed by others. That’s normal and fine. I’m positive that you are a million times better than I am at whatever it is you do, and I wouldn’t begin to question whatever that is. I’d respectfully listen, maybe learn, or disagree, but I certainly wouldn’t stoop so low as to attack your age or physical appearance. You’ll learn these things when you start getting wrinkles my friend.

[@mnmgfdhjiuyzxcasdqwere7786]

@@Woodstock271 If I practiced an art for my entire life, then my standards would not be so rigid that I'd actually look down on other artists who choose to use some creativity by blending different styles, no matter how simple it is. I plan to stay that way when I get old, unlike you.

[@Simon.the.Likeable]

​@@Woodstock271 Keep being positive and stay on the path, friend. That nay-sayer lost me completely when he wrote "meaningless offbeat." There is no meaningless in art. (Even if it is the case that you are attempting to make it art.) After putting in the time, musicians discover that there is meaning even in the silence.

[@miguelinspirado]

Thank you for taking the time to properly teach us this beautiful music. My favorite line is when you said reggae music is very serious. Give thanks

[@XyanGuitar]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@malcolmmcatee3752]

This is the best reggae guitar video on the YT

[@TraustiLaufdal]

Much respect and gratitute for this lesson my friend. I've played guitar professionally for 25 years and still learning. Thank god i stumbled upon you. I am currently recording an orginal reggae track and you might have just saved it. The last thing I wanna do is disrespect the unique artform that the reggae is. 🙏🏻✌🏻🙏🏻

[@danaowens30]

Like Bob Say it come wid ah feel some cyan copy it but dem cant replicate it cant dig it. Sharp muted chops effects are my thing. I love these lesson. Ppl who dont get it actually will get it once you feel it same with the keyboard i play both keyboard guitar and bass as well as i play drums and im a Jamaican raised in America honey!!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤ I grew up on Skya music ,Rock steady, classic reggae of 50s 60s 70s 80s 90s and 2000s. My Grandfather is Ernest Ranglin Dana Ranglin is my name and so are all my children🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇪🇹🇪🇹🇪🇹🇪🇹🇪🇹🇪🇹❤💛💚❤💛💚❤💛💚 im a Rasta woman with a purpose

[@WesleyWattley-xy4fg]

Ernest ranglin! 🥉 🥉 🥉 👍

[@ulfjohansson5328]

iv been listening to reegea on and of since I bought uprising when it came out. I began playing guitar late just as a thing when I stoped partying. Now I have playd for11 years mostly blues and rock. And now today after listening to Peter Tosh I sat down and clicked on your video ,great explained..I have always had this feeling that its more to it,seen heard so much rubbish especially in the 80th..Your great thanks

[@IceGuts]

Thank you thank you. It just a couple weeks ago in a practice that someone told me something like: “that is not reggae strum! Reggae strum must be on an upstroke!” 😁 and I was like huh? I did not know that … For the next few weeks until today I was kind of struggling with that idea. And now you have set me free ❤

[@XyanGuitar]

You are very welcome sir

[@paulchang3336]

Upstroke is ska

[@ngwabichaca6051]

*Bonjour, Mbote, Otep mon frère, Nous avions apprécié votre leçon de guitare 🎸 car c est rationnel et pragmatique. Jhaa Rasta Farai Khamith panafricaniste ❤ Marcus Garvey, Lumumba, Sankara, professeur Omotunde et ... Ingeta 💪*

[@paulmundy8312]

What a brilliant lesson thankyou. I've always wanted to play reggae but all my life I've played rock or indie & so I've been doing a lot of research into how to play this genre & your lesson is by far the best out there, thankyou

[@ejrmyself95]

Thank you for these healthy insights, man. Greatly appreciated. This is how reggae is played. Jah love.

[@XyanGuitar]

Thank you

[@Patbwoy]

Now that video was overdue! Those things you mentioned drive me crazy too, when folks who clearly never listened let alone played Reggae feel the need to teach it on YT! Another thing that drives me insane is when those guys think Reggae is always in a shuffle feel :)

[@Arterium]

Great teacher. Simple. Thank you. 🔥

[@tonyharley5230]

Just revisiting the basics here. I notice, as well as the downstroke verses upstroke helping to get that off beat pattern in the head, and being more authentic, i notice it actually sounds much better.

[@LovesickBluesBoi]

Xyan Guitar, thank you for the tutorial. I considered myself good with time and rhythm, but coming from thrash/ death metal background I do struggle with reggae beats and finding "my" spot to land correctly. Blessings Xyan

[@josephcrowe927]

For the love of God don't do that. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 laughed out loud. at last some who teaches reggae like reggae should be 👍👍👍

[@XyanGuitar]

Gotta emphasize on it my brother! Enough is enough man lol

[@paultorbert6929]

Yes…. I had to learn the hard way when I moved to Cali…. There were other musicians that called me out and said I was not playing reggae, but they never tried to Teach me, just cursing and laughing… Well, I am VERY HAPPY that YOU are here to keep other guitarists from being ridiculed the way I was….🙏🎸🎶 Bob Marley Prezident Brown Gregory Isaacs Midnite Sly and Robbie Lee Scratch Perry The list can’t fit here😺😊🎸🎶

[@Tidozer]

I laughed out loud too!

[@gasparepellecchia]

10:57 wrong/wright 14:07 wrong/wright

[@warrencantero]

Brilliant ... thank you so much. So much respect for this style of music.

[@Jules551]

Hi Xyan, thank you for this , growing up in the uk in the 70s and 80s we loved our reggae, it brought us together , brilliant lesson , peace and happiness Xyan from jules Ipswich uk 🙏

[@connorm1817]

Reggae is such a beautiful, soulful music. I like how you said it is a very serious music, because I think that is what people love about it... it can be serious in its love of the beauty in life, or the seriousness talking about political or human issues like Bob did.... it is a perfect balance music. I humbly listen to your amazing teaching and hope to do justice to the original heart of reggae when I play

[@XyanGuitar]

Massive respect to you! 💪🏿

[@WesleyWattley-xy4fg]

Absolutely 👍

[@johnwesley6974]

Thanks for the tutorial. Some guitar players think if they know a major a minor and maybe a 7th then they are reggae musicians. Nuff respect

[@michaelr148]

Great lesson. Thank you, Professor Xyan.

[@XyanGuitar]

My pleasure!

[@DavidBagshaw]

Fantastic lesson.

[@paulchang3336]

Well done Xyan

[@robdangerfield7129]

Great Video. I'm glad I watched this, I am trying to get more scratch in my playing after watching some people on here. looks like this is a big mistake. Thanks for clueing me in.

[@geelicios]

Wow! what a lead of variation!

[@JrodsJourneys]

Great video thanks

[@davidelliott1376]

Can you make video that show all the styles of playing guitar that covers mento Ska rock steady reaggae. How to play it on Accoustic guitar as well. I know you are busy but this video was the best explanation out there. Also can you do each video by making a backing track of well songs that we can play along with the record as its hard for me to pick out the chords from the records. 🙋‍♂️

[@rubadubgavle]

Greetings and blessings from Sweden! One love. Amazing tutorial.

[@XyanGuitar]

Thank you so much!

[@Davidg1t1]

Very CooL Brother. Thank you and much respect.

[@carleyquacoe9117]

Legend, thankyou for your knowledge man. Love your tuturial ❤💛💚💥

[@predeem1629]

Many times, if you're using a wah pedal, you don't even have to apply pressure. Many songs have a sweet percussive sound just by dampening the strings with the chord shapes of your fingers. Great video

[@XyanGuitar]

Right You are my brother! Thank you very much 🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@jonaqueue]

This is an awesome tutorial on the guitar fundamentals of reggae! Thank you! 🔥🔥🔥

[@joecooper3740]

Just wanna say thank you sir. Just got into Jamaica a few days ago and decided to play Waiting in Vain and knew I needed to play it right or it's disrespectful, right on!

[@XyanGuitar]

You are welcome my brother

[@emviousMUSIC]

Hey hey Xyan man! Can ya give a tutorial on reggae strumming with an acoustic please!? or if you have one already refer me to that video? thanks and much love x

[@KGale]

Exactly what I came here for

[@damianmcilhatton659]

Brilliant lesson, many thanks mate.

[@XyanGuitar]

Glad I could help

[@XyanGuitar]

your welcome and thank you for the sub!

[@sebastianibanez7681]

Well, thank you for this! I always wondered how reggae was actually played.

[@joeginden7290]

Xuan this is what I need to see because then I want to do it correctly and then you say respect yeah I know live blues player for about 8 years but the beauty of the Ukrainian people in your teaching and inspired me to put a band together out here in Honolulu thank you very much brother anything I can do just ask or send a message

[@XyanGuitar]

Just spread the word my brother! Pass it on to someone! That is all i ask

[@ChaRahgung]

Nice 👍🏼

[@iljavieten687]

Great video, man, and the love for your way of playing really shines through - but with all respect: I have seen some respected Reggae musicians add some "chicki - chicki" rhythm to it, especially when they have no other instruments accompanying them..guys like Tuff Lion, The Wailers or the Alpha Blondie guitarist...so, I guess it's rather a question of when it's appropriate, vut on an acoustic guitar it sounds pretty nice, especially when you mute the strings a little....but with a full band and an e - guitar it absolutely sounds awful, you're totally right!!!✊🏻✊🏻✊🏻💞

[@johnnorris1128]

Amazing lesson 🎶🎶🎶🎸

[@XyanGuitar]

Glad you think so!

[@johnbontenbal2607]

Great pointers there. Thank you

[@FelipeOmega]

Excellent tutorial! Congrats.

[@XyanGuitar]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stephenashworth2480]

All this seems so obvious when you demo it. Great vid. Hands up, guilty on everything but the offbeats. I knew I wasn't approaching it right and your lesson cleared it up. I have literally avoided playing some reggae songs because I knew I was off somehow. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@XyanGuitar]

You are welcome sir

[@Steve_Vipez]

nice explain.. and amazing impart your musical knowledge. ( The recording needs something better (OR.. hardware OR ..Room, etc.) thanks for the excellent knowledge that you impart

[@danciopermusic1627]

Just found your channel. I’ve been looking for good reggae guitar tutorial and find very little on you tube. Thank you, I’m excited to get going.

[@XyanGuitar]

Now go on and be great!

[@vicrumdudeman]

I have heard reggae music that has a bit os scratch played. doesnt sound bad. however, I think the over all message your sending is GREAT people need to be more mindful of when you choose to put the scratch in. Reggae is serious music but should be felt from the heart and uplift. so dont take it so serious that your not having fun. I play California reggae, wich is a mix prodominantly of reggae but mixed with hip hop and rock. so having a good mix of influences that contribute to reggae is so awesome to play.

[@CJsBOARDBIKE]

ya man dis be da sickest reggae lesson I seen long time ya

[@RAAAAAAAANDY.]

The algorithm knows I'm playing wrong hahahaha this video was right under my reggae song I posted. Thanks for the lesson!!!!!

[@geaux-hard]

Great lesson, brother. Yes, I will go back to the older Reggae and study those too.

[@takiyuanakin3393]

@Xyan Guitar, can you do a tutorial please on I won’t let you go - blues busters

[@refneleb]

Blessings

[@ronday4210]

Excellent 🤙🏽

[@gloiregedeonlouamba1736]

Thanks very much!

[@XyanGuitar]

You're welcome!

[@WR84Charger]

Great sound. What are your guitar settings for this tone? Are you in the bridge pickup and where are the tone knobs set? Amp clean or is there some gain/overdrive?

[@amadorsanchez5222]

EXCELLENT TUTORIAL.

[@XyanGuitar]

thank you

[@Denny_7782]

What's your audio set up for broadcasting to KZbin? So good! Cheers from Lodi, California USA

[@ArmyK9]

I studied classical guitar formally. It's actually on the &a, we count it in semi-quavers, 16 beats. We call it 1e&a, 2e&a, 3e&a, 4e&a ...etc. In this case, the e is silent, so we count 1&a, 2&a, 3&a, 4&a...etc.

[@nickkotey5997]

Good teacher

[@billysmith5230]

5:33 I know exactly what you mean. That’s how a lot of people acted towards the Jamaican reggae band EarthKry and you could see it in there faces. Such a great group of guys! Very talented. Check them out!

[@jackcubillos2160]

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@stevenverbocht3921]

Thanks for the tutorial Xian. I am used to play metal so for me its difficult to strum the right way you teached it. I will keep practising. What effects are used to play nice reggae vibes on guitar? I hear reverb and wah, but do you also use a delay? For the love of God i will never do the legato reggae again ;) Thanks for you're lesson.

[@Tidozer]

Do you use neck or bridge pickup?

[@railee5691]

Real question, I play guitar backwards, as in I play a right handed guitar like it’s a left handed guitar,, does that technically mean It will sound more natural in the upstroke? Since it’s upside down

[@johnroberts2654]

Hi Xyan, what is the song playing at the beginning of your video please?

[@leontj1496]

Top tier video, much love from here in Ireland. I challenge u do make a video about reggae sound guitar AMP setup

[@bassonlyplanet]

Thank you for this ✌🏽🎼

[@tonyharley5230]

So many teaching upstroke and when challenged, claim its easier for new reggae players to learn but it's not. I think it's a cop out way of avoiding learning off beat timing required for reggae.

[@XyanGuitar]

It's appalling bro! But I'm here to set it all straight

[@tonyharley5230]

@@XyanGuitar True dat 👊

[@randyvidad9104]

Hi an you make a bufalo soldier tutorial. Thank you sir..

[@nubaduby2]

You are a great teacher. maybe you will like this topic for a new lesson. The Abbyssinians (Hey you)

[@gbekoss]

Hi! Do you used Wah Wah pedal? And which. Thanks

[@fabianoscuccato2611]

Hey Bro ottimo video , che pedale hai usato !? Grazie

[@fabianoscuccato2611]

Name song?

[@thomlev5217]

when you will make new tutorial?chatty mouth from gladiators would be nice to learn 😊

[@lamper2]

Why do all these youtube teachers define reggae as hitting on 2 & 4's? if it's hitting on the "ands"? and i don't get how we Americans hit 1 & 3 my whole life it seems we naturally clap on 2 & 4 At 4:41 if you count a quick 1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4 your guitar falls on the second and fourth beats I'M COMPLETELY CONFUSED! anyone?

[@Kamelzenniaofficial]

Great !!

[@stulastripe8880]

Is a soft or thin pick the best to use?

[@billysmith5230]

What guitar pedals or program you running your guitar through to get that tone? 14:36

[@billysmith5230]

Nevernind i found the next video for that lol

[@zeusapollo8688]

Man you are hilarious. I have made all those mistakes long time ago myself. Start w Calypso and afrobeat mix in some other Cubano things...quite a mix I make on my own

[@intuitiveteachings5586]

greetings bro! I have a question: Could you make a tutorial especially on "stuck line creation"? I like your tutorials! I'm a Beginner-Intermediate Guitar Player, so if you're going to make a video on that topic, could you please call out the Note-Names or the frets-of-a-string pleeeaase ;-) Keep on! and Blessings

[@XyanGuitar]

Noted!

[@billysmith5230]

7:26 god bless that hurt to watch

[@ДэрлДжей]

Yeah, REGGAE ❤!

[@carllee2218]

Them belly full dem wanting garnet silk riddim lol 😆 Nice lesson

[@oldreddragon1579]

👍👍. Look like you were struggling at the end to play it "Wrong".😀

[@XyanGuitar]

I was 🤣🤣 I tried my best to play it wrong

[@Nattybread]

Thanks @xyanguitar !

[@albertoamenta4215]

Welcome back ❤️

[@denisalonso9977]

👍👍👍thank you Xyan, one love!

[@XyanGuitar]

You are welcome my brother

[@denislocs141]

Yes king Great video and yes DON'T DO THIS _ 👊🏿👊🏿🙏🏿

[@jimmy_spliff_fiyah]

Welcome back

[@XyanGuitar]

Give thanks!!🙏🏿

[@RansomGangsterBox245]

Have you listen to The Police Walking on the moon? I would like to know your opinion and watch your live reaction from that song. Could use it for your next video idea maybe ?

[@XyanGuitar]

Yeah I know that song. The play a skank but it's on the 1 and not the off beat so it's not reggae

[@elimg.3684]

@@XyanGuitar I may be mistaken, but to me it sounds like they do in fact play it on the 'and', not on the beat, but then they also play the kick on the 'and'.

[@sandeepchopra3986]

you the best !

[@XyanGuitar]

Thank you very much

[@sempertern]

we miss you man

[@garyyafai3066]

Do you teach lessons

[@MarkRenton-rm3fl]

Hi Sir, can you explain more?? A little more easy?

[@zygmaszel8882]

Ya man ....🎸🪘🎺

[@lenharris6095]

I loved this tutorial ,it opened my mind to try and play some reggae music, as i have never giving it a thought before, yes i think when i get my guitar out tonight, i will give it a bash.

[@mingosutu]

Disrespectful?!! Disrespectful to whom?!!

[@George-of5kl]

the wrong sound has more flow for me i like them both , it doesn’t sound awful to me

[@G.type.7]

Awesome Broo!!!

[@XyanGuitar]

thank you

[@rashardey243]

Do you teach privately

[@XyanGuitar]

Yes I do

[@stanleytorres6806]

Welcome brother

[@XyanGuitar]

Thank you u breddrin!

[@chadbrambers8346]

Teach punk next. Need the rules for punk.

[@arthurlorin7197]

Really good tuto but you said a mistake ... Reggae guitar and the skank in general is on the 2 and the 4, not on the 'and', as it is the case for the ska ...

[@arthurlorin7197]

@Neiltrama1 no he’s not. A skank is on the 2, and the 4, not on the « and ». You can’t just say « wrong, he’s right » you need to argument bro

[@arthurlorin7197]

@Neiltrama1 ska is on the « and », reggae is 2, and 4. Don’t worry man, many guys thinks reggae is in counter time. Then, reality kicks in