The Reggae Piano Rhythm Pattern You Need to Learn

To play reggae piano, count swung sixteenth notes (1 e and a), play the chord root in the left hand on beats 1 and 3, play short staccato chords in the right hand on every 'and', then add soft, choppy ghost notes on the fifth of the chord.

Video lesson by Jason Zac · Beginner · 22 min

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This lesson from Jason Zac at Nathaniel School of Music teaches a simple but effective reggae piano pattern that captures the feel of the genre and builds strong hand coordination. It starts at a beginner level and grows into syncopated ghost-note grooves for intermediate players. The idea is to make the piano do the work of a whole band: your right hand acts like the reggae guitarist and your left hand acts like the drummer.

Step 1: Feel the Swung Sixteenth Notes

Divide each beat into four parts and count 1 e and a, 2 e and a, 3 e and a, 4 e and a. In straight time each part is exactly a quarter of the beat. For reggae, as with many dance rhythms, you swing these subdivisions, so they are no longer evenly spaced.

Reggae does not work with only downbeats. Its character comes from choosing specific hit points within the divided beat: the 'e's, the 'a's and especially the 'ands'. A pattern is about what you leave out as much as what you play.

Step 2: Understand the Roles of Each Hand

• Right hand: holds chords. For C major, play it as G C E.
• Left hand: plays mainly the root (the note the chord is named after, so C for C major), and at certain groovy accent points the fifth (G for C major).

Step 3: The Basic Reggae Pattern

1. Left hand plays the root on beats 1 and 3. You can think of it as a two-beat phrase repeated.
2. Right hand plays the chord on every 'and', short and staccato. This offbeat chop is what a reggae guitarist typically plays and is highly characteristic of the genre.
3. Keep the swing feel throughout.

You can sneak in an occasional longer right-hand chord, but staccato throughout is the usual sound. This basic pattern alone works for almost any reggae song.

Step 4: Add Ghost Notes

A ghost note, a term borrowed from drummers, is a very soft, very short hit. Since the piano cannot mute strings like a guitar, you create the ghost effect by controlling volume and note length.

Add a ghost note on the fifth (G in C major) on the e of beat 2 and the e of beat 4. Flick the key lightly, drawing your finger back towards the palm, so the note has an attack but almost no sustain, like a drum.

To make the ghost notes stand out, let the root played by your pinky be long and louder. Contrast is the key: the more legato the root, the more percussive the choppy notes sound. You can also accent every other right-hand chord.

Step 5: Play a 1 5 6 4 Progression

Apply the groove to a common pop-reggae progression in C major, using these right-hand inversions:

• C major: G C E
• G major: G B D
• A minor: A C E
• F major: A C F

Change chords every two beats, or every four beats if you prefer a slower change.

Step 6: Anticipate the Next Chord

On the 'a' of the last beat before a chord change, play another ghost note, this time the fifth of the next chord. For example, before moving to G major, ghost a soft, choppy D. It anticipates the coming chord and adds a lively push into the change.

How to Practise

• Count the subdivisions out loud at first, then let the counting go and feel the groove.
• Go slowly if needed, but never lose the pulse.
• Move your upper body, perhaps swaying sideways, rather than only tapping your foot.
• Learn in stages: basic pattern first, then ghost notes, then anticipation notes.
• If you sing, practise singing along until the piano part is automatic and your voice is not compromised.

Questions about this lesson

What does the right hand play in reggae piano?

The right hand plays short, staccato chords on every 'and' of the beat. This offbeat chop imitates what a reggae guitarist usually plays.

How do you play a ghost note on the piano?

Play the note very softly and very short, flicking your finger off the key back towards your palm. Because the piano cannot mute strings, volume and note length are what create the ghost effect.

What chord progression works for reggae piano?

A common choice is the 1 5 6 4 progression, which in C major is C, G, A minor and F. The lesson voices them as G C E, G B D, A C E and A C F, changing every two or four beats.

Is this reggae pattern suitable for beginners?

Yes. The basic pattern of roots on beats 1 and 3 with right-hand chords on the 'ands' is beginner-friendly, and the ghost notes can be added later as you progress.

Practise it

• Swing GardenWork with straight and swung rhythm in an interactive teaching workspace.
• Groove MetronomeWork with tempo, accents and polyrhythms instead of a single unchanging click.
• Piano classes at Nathaniel School of MusicLive online or in Bangalore, with a teacher.
• All free music apps40 practice tools for harmony, rhythm, ear training and more.

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