Fender Play Live: Reggae Playlist

Fender Play Live is a weekly studio show that dives deep into the Fender's legendary gear and the iconic music that was made by it over the year.s

In this edition of the program, the focus is reggae, a genre made famous by the likes of Bob Marley, Toots and the Maytals, Peter Tosh and Jimmy Cliff.

Hosted by Fender Play's Scott Goldbaum and Pete Griffin, the episode dives into some of reggae's trailblazing artists, the techniques that they used and the songs that made the genre popular around the world.

Don't worry if you missed the show. You can watch it on Fender’s YouTube, Facebook and Twitter channels, in addition to the video embedded below.

To accompany Fender Play Live, we've compiled a reggae curriculum for every level of player to follow through Fender Play. Check out the lesson lists below, and if you're not a Fender Play subscriber yet, start your free trial here.

Reggae Crash Course: Level 1

Exercise: C - G with String Muting

String muting is accomplished by gently applying pressure with the palm of your strumming hand on the strings immediately after you strum. It gives your playing a "pulsing" or percussive sound.

Learn more about how to mute strings while switching between some easy chords in this video.

Course: Backbeat Strumming

Backbeat strumming is commonly used in reggae music. The technique accents beats 2 adn 4 in a measure and it an essential part of beign a well-rounded guitar player. In this course, you'll learn how to use backbeat strumming to make your playing sound more percussive and get the band to sound tighter by playing with your rhythm.

Bob Marley & the Wailers - "Waiting in Vain"

The song is perfect for beginning players, as it’s a very recognizable and simple chord progression.

This 1977 hit single was one of only a few of Bob Marley's Island singles to feature a non-album B-Side, this being the song "Roots," an outtake from the Rastaman Vibration sessions. This later appeared on the compilation Rebel Music and on Exodus (Deluxe Edition).

Learn how to play "Waiting in Vain" here.

Reggae Guitar Crash Course: Level 2

Bob Marley & the Wailers - "One Love"

Marley's "One Love" is as poetic in its message as it is catchy in its melody. The track is one of the reggae legend's most popular, as it became a seminal anthem for worldwide peace and is still used to this day.

Learn how to play "One Love" here.

Black Uhuru - "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner"

The first reggae band to win a Grammy award, Black Uhuru delivered a progressive style that incorporated unique percussion in the early '80s. "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" is a great way to utilize that backbeat strum, and with only two chords (C# minor and G# minor), you should nail it in no time.

Learn how to play "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" here.

Bob Marley & the Wailers - "Redemption Song"

As the final track from 1980's Uprising, "Redemption Song" is considered one of Marley's greatest works. Unlike mose of his tracks, this gem is strictly a solo acoustic recording with an emotional message.

Learn how to play "Redemption Song" here.

Reggae Guitar Crash Course: Level 3

Bob Marley & the Wailers - "The Heathen"

Coming off Marley's 1977 gold-certified album, Exodus, "The Heathen" uses three chords (E minor, C and G), a backbeat strum and a quarter note strum for yet another head-nodding reggae hit.

Learn how to play "The Heathen" here.

Bob Marley & the Wailers - "Three Little Birds"

Released in 1977 as the fourth track on Exodus, "Three Little Birds" has been covered by artists as diverse as Panic at The Disco! and Jason Mraz and has been used in countless television shows and movies. Just don't call it "Every Little Thing's Gonna Be Alright," a common mistake.

Learn how to play "Three Little Birds" here.

Israel Vibration - "Cool and Calm"

What could be a better song title for a reggae anthem than "Cool and Calm." This upbeat reggae hit was a refreshing change from hair metal and punk in the '80s and brings some fun chords (D minor and C) to your reggae songbook.

Learn how to play "Cool and Calm" here.

Reggae Bass Crash Course: Level 1

Exercise: Playing 8th Notes

Not only was Nelson's version of "Always on My Mind" a country smash in 1982, it also crossed over to Top 40 rasio, reaching the fifth spot on Billboard's Hot 100 for three weeks. As a result, the track earned three wins at the 1983 Grammy Awards, with Nelson winning for Best Male Country Vocal Performance (songwriters Johnny Christopher, Mark James and Wayne Carson won for Song of the Year and Best Country Song).

Learn how to play "Always on My Mind" here.

Exercise: Play Notes on the G, D, A and E Strings

And to expand your playing and help your strength and coordination, you can practice playing notes on all four strings with this lesson.

Bob Marley & the Wailers - "Three Little Birds" (Riff)

You can find a good beginning reggae bass riff in "Three Little Birds," which uses alternate plucking to adapt the keyboard line on the bass. Find out how in this lesson.

Reggae Bass Crash Course: Level 2

Exercise: Play Anticipated Down Beats

Stay ahead of the reggae game by anticiapting when to switch between notes. This will add flavor ot otherwise basic progressions. See how to refine that skill here.

Bob Marley & the Wailers - "One Love"

The bassline of "One Love" gets grooving by utilizing eighth note rhythms and alternate plucking. You'll have the memorable chorus stuck in your head after working on this classic.

Learn how to play "One Love" here.

Bob Marley & the Wailers - "Waiting in Vain"

"Waiting in Vain" relys on a lot of syncopation and string muting to drive this '70s reggae hit. Another more advance technique used in this song is raking wiht your fingers.

Learn how to play "Waiting in Vain" here.

Reggae Bass Crash Course: Level 3

Bob Marley & the Wailers - "Redemption Song"

Greatness can happen with a riff, a simple progression, and a cool, honest island groove. That's what you'll find with the riff to redemption song. Even though it's traditionally an acoustic song, it also sounds excellent on the bass.

Learn how to play "Redemption Song" here.

Black Uhuru - "Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner"

Black Uhuru's "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" features a hypnotic bass groove that plays off the two-chord guitar riff.

Learn how to play "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" here.

Israel Vibration - "Cool and Calm"

Part of the reason why Israel Vibration's "Cool and Calm" grooved so well is the bassline that repeated itself throughout the entire song. Bouncy and mellow, it's a perfect pop crossover.

Learn how to play "Cool and Calm" here.

For more Fender Play Live, go to Fender’s YouTube, Facebook and Twitter channels. And if you're not a member of Fender Play yet, click here for a free trial.