The Basics of Reggae Guitar-Playing

One thing I've recognized about guitar chords on reggae songs is that it is mostly composed of flats. C-majors and G-majors in power chords give more effect to the songs. There is also a certain technique in strumming the guitar. You don't necessarily have to strum it, but not exactly pluck it. I notice that it's a cross between the two.

You can notice a reggae song from other genre because of its "tenen-tenen-tenen-tungtang-tungtang" sound. You can sway to it at side by side, mostly by beat of twos.

Here is one of Bob Marley's famous songs "No Woman, No Cry." Try playing it with your guitar at home.

Intro:
D A Bm G
No woman, no cry (4x)

Verse:
D A Bm G
Seh, I remember, when we used to sit
in the government yard in Trenchtown
observing the hypocrites
as they would
mingle with the people we meet
good friends we had,
oh good friends, we lost
along the way, ey
in this great future
you can't forget your past
so dry your tears, i seh

Chorus:
(same chords and lyrics as intro)

Basically, it's the same chords for the whole song. The key is to listen intently on the song. Play it on your stereo over and over and you'll get a hang of it. It's so basic that is why it's so easy. Practice it!