Reggae Rhythm
Once nce you understand the core concept...
You’ll start hearing and using it everywhere...
If you’ve ever liked reggae but didn’t know how to approach it on guitar, this is the simplest possible entry point.
The Core Idea of Reggae Rhythm
At its most basic level, reggae rhythm guitar is about where the accents fall.
• The accents happen on the upstrokes
• Even if you are strumming both downstrokes and upstrokes, the emphasis lives on the ups
• It does not have to be every upstroke, but that is where the reggae feel comes from
In its bare-bones form, that is all reggae rhythm is doing.
Muting and the “Snap” Sound
One of the most common reggae techniques is muting the downstroke and letting the upstroke ring.
Downstroke: muted
Upstroke: played clean
Downstroke: muted
Upstroke: played clean
This instantly creates a reggae vibe. The clean, snappy electric guitar sound is a big part of this style. You are filling space briefly, then getting out of the way, then filling space again. That push-and-pull is what makes the groove feel light and bouncy instead of busy.
Counting the Reggae Feel
Reggae can be counted in a few different ways, but the feel stays the same.
• You might count straight: 1 2 3 4
• Or more accurately feel it as: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and
The key point is that the “and” counts are where the emphasis lives. That is where the groove breathes.
Reggae Is Everywhere
Once you understand this concept, you will start hearing reggae influence in many non-reggae songs.
• Anything by Bob Marley is a clear reference point
• Hotel California has a reggae-inspired feel in the verses
• Walking on the Moon has a strong reggae vibe and sits far behind the beat
• Message in a Bottle carries subtle reggae influence
• Is This Love is another great example, also played behind the beat
A fun piece of trivia: “Hotel California” was originally written under the working title “Mexican Reggae,” which explains why that rhythmic feel made it into the final song.
Behind the Beat Feel
Reggae often feels relaxed because it sits behind the beat.
• The rhythm does not rush forward
• The groove feels laid back and spacious
• This behind-the-beat placement is a big reason reggae feels so relaxed
Songs like “Walking on the Moon” exaggerate this feel, making the rhythm feel like it is leaning back rather than pushing ahead.
Why This Matters
Reggae rhythm guitar is not about complexity. It is about restraint, placement, and feel. Once you understand that the accents live on the upstrokes and that space is part of the groove, you can apply this concept to many different styles of music.
Remember to always have fun with your guitar and I’ll see you next time…
If you are looking to learn another excellent rhythm guitar skill, you can check out my FREE lesson on how to weave lead guitar melody lines to your rhythm guitar playing here: https://rhythmguitarlessons.net/Pro
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About Mark Turko: Mark Turko is a professional guitar player and instructor with over 30 years of experience and teaches guitar lessons online.