Ska Basics

First of all, to play ska you need to know how to barre. Then, you should practice playing barre chords only on the upstroaks, and doing a "rhythmic click" on the downstrokes.

First Practice.
The "x"'s are the downstrokes that you don't play.

G        Gm
-3-x-3-x-3-x-3
-3-x-3-x-3-x-3
-4-x-4-x-3-x-3
-5-x-5-x-5-x-5
-5-x-5-x-5-x-5
-3-x-3-x-3-x-3

Then practice:

C        Cm
-3-x-3-x-3-x-3
-5-x-5-x-4-x-4
-5-x-5-x-5-x-5
-5-x-5-x-5-x-5
-3-x-3-x-3-x-3
-3-x-3-x-3-x-3

After you got the upstrokes, practice sliding chords, while playing upstrokes. A good song to practice for this is Same In The End by Sublime.

(play only upstrokes)
-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-0/1-
-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-1/2-
-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-2/3-
-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-2/3-
-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-0/1-
-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-0/1-
Âown in mississippi where sun beats down....

Another song to practice is Sound System by Operation Ivy:

 A     A     G     G      D     D     D     D
E|X--5--X--5--X--3--X--3--|X--2--X--2--X--2--X--2--|
B|X--5--X--5--X--3--X--3--|X--3--X--3--X--3--X--3--|
G|X--6--X--6--X--4--X--4--|X--2--X--2--X--2--X--2--|
D|X--7--X--7--X--5--X--5--|X--4--X--4--X--4--X--4--|
A|------------------------|------------------------|
E|------------------------|------------------------|
     Sound   Systems gonna  bring  me  back  up  yah

     A     A     G     G      D     D     D     D
E|X--5--X--5--X--3--X--2--|X--2--X--2--X--2--X--2--|
B|X--5--X--5--X--3--X--3--|X--3--X--3--X--3--X--3--|
G|X--6--X--6--X--4--X--4--|X--2--X--2--X--2--X--2--|
D|X--7--X--7--X--5--X--5--|X--4--X--4--X--4--X--4--|
A|------------------------|------------------------|
E|------------------------|------------------------|
     One       thing that  I    can    depend   on

   A     A     A     A      A     A     A     A
E|X--5--X--5--X--5--X--5--|X--5--X--5--X--5--X--5--|
B|X--5--X--5--X--5--X--5--|X--5--X--5--X--5--X--5--|
G|X--6--X--6--X--6--X--6--|X--6--X--6--X--6--X--6--|
D|X--7--X--7--X--7--X--7--|X--7--X--7--X--7--X--7--|
A|------------------------|------------------------|
E|------------------------|------------------------|
  Try  to  describe it  to  the limit of my ability

     G     G     G     G      G     G     G     G
E|X--3--X--3--X--3--X--3--|X--3--X--3--X--3--X--3--|
B|X--3--X--3--X--3--X--3--|X--3--X--3--X--3--X--3--|
G|X--4--X--4--X--4--X--4--|X--4--X--4--X--4--X--4--|
D|X--5--X--5--X--5--X--5--|X--5--X--5--X--5--X--5--|
A|------------------------|------------------------|
E|------------------------|------------------------|
  It's there for a second then it's given up what...

     D     D     D     D      D     D     D     D
E|X--2--X--2--X--2--X--2--|X--2--X--2--X--2--X--2--|
B|X--3--X--3--X--3--X--3--|X--3--X--3--X--3--X--3--|
G|X--2--X--2--X--2--X--2--|X--2--X--2--X--2--X--2--|
D|X--4--X--4--X--4--X--4--|X--4--X--4--X--4--X--4--|
A|------------------------|------------------------|
E|------------------------|------------------------|
  Contained in music somehow more than just sound,

     D     D     D     D      D     D     D     D
E|X--2--X--2--X--2--X--2--|X--2--X--2--X--2--X--2--|
B|X--3--X--3--X--3--X--3--|X--3--X--3--X--3--X--3--|
G|X--2--X--2--X--2--X--2--|X--2--X--2--X--2--X--2--|
D|X--4--X--4--X--4--X--4--|X--4--X--4--X--4--X--4--|
A|------------------------|------------------------|
E|------------------------|------------------------|
This inspiration coming and  twisting things around

Questions, fanmail, blackmail: [e-mail]

Comments

[ohdarn323]

Sure.

[Failure]

Wow, that was a little too detailed and complex for me :-\

it was still gooooooooood though.

[REDS_RHCP]

It was good though...
But what was so complex about it?

Any way

This is very good offcourse, but I don't know if there is any way to LEARN to FEEL how to play a music style(???) but that's just my opinion...

[Aetius]

hmmm.... first you say a G is played 335553 and later on in the song it's XX5433... now what is it, the first or second one... anyway good lesson

[moostiff]

can anyone really benefit from this???

[cffrmw]

hmmm.... first you say a G is played 335553 and later on in the song it's XX5433... now what is it, the first or second one... anyway good lesson

dude theres more than one way to play a chord. but you are right, the first chord is: g,c,g,e,g, which is a C chord, the second one you are playing x,x,g,b,d,g, which is a G chord. i think you were wrong anyways now that i look at it again tho b/c the second time its a G minor chord so the first two arent x's. too lazy to see if its ALL right tho so someone else can figure it out

[Evil Elyk]

Is the "rhythmic click" just a downstrum on the muted strings?

[xdopsx]

yeah, the clicks are just everytime you strum down you lift your left hand off the barred strings a little to mute them.....rhythmically

[riffomaniac]

this is more of a tab than a lesson but still pretty good

[Chojnacki]

i get it, ska sounds kind of like regge, so upstroke it and then mute the down stroke, easy

[PapeR CuTTT]

i dont understand it ...how do u make that really quik sound? like a start stop thing

[anthony IS god]

cffrmw:
hmmm.... first you say a G is played 335553 and later on in the song it's XX5433... now what is it, the first or second one... anyway good lesson
dude theres more than one way to play a chord. but you are right, the first chord is: g,c,g,e,g, which is a C chord, the second one you are playing x,x,g,b,d,g, which is a G chord. i think you were wrong anyways now that i look at it again tho b/c the second time its a G minor chord so the first two arent x's. too lazy to see if its ALL right tho so someone else can figure it out damn your good

[anthony IS god]

i need to learn howw to quote on this thing i said anthony IS god: damn your good

[ilikebigmacs@mc]

im in a ska/punk band this shits good

[Streaker]

ya its pretty confusing. pick some easier stuff for a first lesson thing. oh well its still pretty cool.

[misstigger615]

oh so thats what thos x thingies meant thanku for telling me i was confused ur lesson rockz!

[bc2skaterpunk]

It did not help me one friggin ioda but thanks for trying anyway

[Whisper_Child]

I never got much into ska but I'm the type of person that likes to inncorporate a little of everything into my sound. However since I am not as fimiar with ska I don't have much ska. Can you list some VERY popular Ska bands for me to check out. Then maybe post some of their tabs?

[stpd1]

even though i despise ska from the inner most depths of my soul, it was an ok article

[Spanner]

Good lesson but ska is not an essential learning style such as Blues Jazz Rock Metal Country Classical or Folk

[noob4lyfe]

Yeah, you should try reggae =P

[original_rocker]

im not completely sure what ska is, any examples of bands?

[king of swing]

im not completely sure what ska is, any examples of bands?

In the article, there are tabs of "Sublime" and "Operation Ivy". They are probably used as a demonstration of ska music...

[«ÃFireÏnside»]

op ivy kicks ass....but the article is good...too bad ive only been playin for bout 4 months and didnt really understand it all to good(never mind play it) but good one anyway

[Another_Idiot]

SKA is realated to punk if u like punk u should like ska and plus ska is hard to play unlike punk which is lots of power chords most of the time THATS something that u ***ing metal heads outthere cant just hate on because SKA is HARD 2 PLAY SOO HAHAHA whats just powerchords now??? assholes HAHAHA oohh some nofx songs are ska check out BOB life o riley

Remember kids NOFX kicks ass and anyone who says here who says they suck are little dipshits and posers trying to look cool by hating on a band

[bucky_2300]

SKA is realated to punk if u like punk u should like ska and plus ska is hard to play unlike punk which is lots of power chords most of the time THATS something that u ***ing metal heads outthere cant just hate on because SKA is HARD 2 PLAY SOO HAHAHA whats just powerchords now??? assholes HAHAHA oohh some nofx songs are ska check out BOB life o riley

Remember kids NOFX kicks ass and anyone who says here who says they suck are little dipshits and posers trying to look cool by hating on a band

Silly little arsemunch, aren't you? NoFX is NOT ska. They don't even incorporate ska. What you're talking about is third wave. Listen to the Selecter, Specials, early Bob Marley, Skatalites, and the Rudimentals. THEN talk to me about ska.
I like ska and punk (catch me on the forum) and I gotta say, this was a good lesson. If you don't like ska, why bother posting here saying "lol tHiS i5 teh suk m3t4l rulz!!1" or some other shit.
Another_idiotis just another idiot, it would seem. He can't even type.

[Rudie966]

Ska is awesome. this was a good intro for people that don't know how to play upstrokes.

[pinheadslts75]

my favorite music is punk, but i want to learn ska and this is helpful

[peroxidebasser]

TOO MANY STRINGS TO HIT!!!..

[peroxidebasser]

TOO MANY PLACES TO PUT FINGERS!!!..

[avalanche930]

about the whole Gchord thing hes right. the 5th fret on the d string is a G and therefore the chord is a derived g chord

[arsonite]

good lesson :

[guitarfreak8448]

ok in response to some of the things said
1) have you read the lesson? its not complicated.
2) somebody mentioned listing some popular ska bands, yeah um how about read the lesson
3) both ska and metal are awesome

great article by the way, great place to start out with ska

[HXC_Slamming]

^lol yea.... good lesson, more/ different stroking patterns woulda been good

[Mad_Gouki]

what is a "rythmic click"? thats the only thing i dont understand from the lesson, good lesson tho

[indiekid]

This was actually damned helpful, I've been trying to get the hang of this ska style for a while, I had the upstrokes and barre chords but I was trying to do the "rhythmic click" by just muting the strings with the palm of my fretting hand which is a hell of a lot harder. Thanks.

[indiekid]

Oh, and if anyone else is trying to learn this technique, try practicing "Baggy Trousers" by Madness, the verse is just barred majors and it's really easy once you get going.

[Al-oha29]

Cool lesson, thanks.

[suicideangel_2]

cool lesson, sublime rule (too bad about their singer)

[Hewhocorrupts]

As a guitarist whos played in everything from Ska, Punk, Hardcore, Grindcore and Deathmetal bands i'd have to say its harder to play ska than anything else (besides metal solos) and by the way, if yer using the word "fag" like an ignorant then you shouldn't even be associated with ska and punk so all you metalheads go get drunk and flirt with yer relatives. (also, NOFX is not ska, real ska are bands like Mustard Plug and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones)

[NFFC_1865]

Terrible lesson. You have taught the core basics of ska. You could have said what you did in one sentence - without pasting a tab at the end!

[jaden_123]

man ska is freakin hard to play but it sounds AWESOME!!!

[Panny180]

moostiff:
can anyone really benefit from this???

Um, someone who wants to play ska music, perhaps?

[cryan2]

ska rocks...but it's to fuc*kin hard to play..

spam deleted

[Surf3r]

Yeah, Ska rocks. (Even though this article sucks)

Anyone like Sublime? Cus they kick @$$

[whitey888]

ok ska is good. its not hard.if this article did in fact help you are a fuc_king tard.(wow didnt meen to make that ryme)
*Another_Idiot:THATS something that u ***ing metal heads outthere cant just hate on because SKA is HARD 2 PLAY SOO HAHAHA

yea you truly are an idiot
who the fu_ck cant upstroke

[R0CKER1220]

Great lesson, helped me a lot. I usually listen to rock, punk, "pop-punk" whatever you want to call it, but I've been listening to Mighty Mighty bosstones a lot, getting into ska more. I tired playing but i was just doing to upstokes, didnt really try the "rhythmic click" Too lazy to think of things like that. Anyways, a good ska song is "The Impression that I Get" by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, great song, got a lotta trumpets, trombones and such in the back, make it more interesting. Anyways, great song, great arcticle, im out.

[newyorkdolls138]

It's a pretty good lesson, but it could have been longer.

[dimebag7]

reggae is the shit, i love it

[rancidrocker]

I agree with dimebag7.....

[green_ramou!]

all that shit about the g-chord.. if the notes fall into a g-major scale and the first note is a G it's a G-chord.. just wanted to point that out

[zeppelinchild]

i ve already got a basic feel for ska, i just need sum pointers so i can right my own stuff. This here is gd for beginers. When's the advanced section coming? lol

[Wolfdarrigan]

Chojnacki wrote:

i get it, ska sounds kind of like regge, so upstroke it and then mute the down stroke, easy

Yes, ska was born in Jamica, but spread through out the music scene...developing into regge... http://www.guitartricks.com/2000/trick.php?trick_id=5896
This place has got a whole list of ska chords (good place to go as a second step)....much simplier than the barre chord, and, it sounds good as well...

PapeR CuTTT wrote:

i dont understand it ...how do u make that really quik sound? like a start stop thing

you have to mute the string right after you hit them...so...up stroke, mute, dead note downstroke, mute(helps with the stop/start, but isnt needed), repeat....hope I helped...

[tonewar]

thanks, that was good it has help a lot

[guitarkid2113]

all i learned from this is how to play sound system and same in the end...sorry but its not really a great lesson :/

[i_miss_mxtabs]

pretty good lesson, but it looks a little confusing for a beginner. i would have started by teacing basic reage, because its basicly ska at a slower tempo...
but what do i know? ive only been teaching music theory for 7 years

[guitarkid2113]

Hey NFFC or w/e this is the basics of ska hence the title!

[Funkyfreako]

.. i still dont know what ska is...

[knivessout]

Funkyfreako wrote:

.. i still dont know what ska is...

its playing the chords on the offbeat (a.k.a. upbeat). most music has chords played on the beat itself.

so say if you were playing to a 4/4 beat (tap your foot to the numbers)

1 2 3 4
x ^ x ^ x ^ x ^

the x's are the MUTED down strokes and the ^'s are the barre chords that are played UPSTROKE then quickly muted. and if you play slower, youre playing reggae! hope that helps =D

[knivessout]

ok those numbers came out wrong.. it should look like this

1_2_3_4
x^x^x^x^

[knivessout]

ah **** it this thing sucks.. the numbers should be above the x's

[HeavyReggea311]

My god, ska isn't a hard music concept to learn. I'm in a ska band alogn with reggea and jazz. Alright i'll break it down for all those who don't know what ska is.

There are 3 waves of ska
1st wave- Insturmentials, consisting of fast jazz, off-beat bass and drums with jazz like horns. This was found in New Orleans and one of the most reconized bands of this wave are the Skatelites.

2nd wave- This ska eventualy evolved form the jazz stage to the reggae stage. 2nd wave ska is mostly found in British bands. The clash is an example of 2nd wave ska. With the song rudy cant fail and police on my back many bands soon followed. The most reconized bands are The Specials, The Slackers, Bad Manners, Britt Beat. This is also the time period where the style of "skanking" came along.

3rd wave- this is the modern ska. evolving in the early 80's; punk was now blended into the scene. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Reel Big Fish, Operation Ivy, Toasters, Catch 22, Less than Jake and Sublime (i would list streetlight but thats pretty new) are all examples of the bands from 3rd wave ska.


so basically if you want to play 1st waves ska, play jazz scales and chords with palming the down picks.

2nd wave would be the 4 beat reggea chords with the traditional up-pick. Although if it is a skanking song then the tempo quickens.

3rd wave ska would be the power chords with fast up-picking along with down picking that all these people presented.

[Digger75]

Thanks to whoever did this. while it dont cover everything, it did help me out

[Bobby Darko]

I always wanted to learn to play ska. I'm still working on it. I'm not that great with barr chords, moving them around anyway but this helped me more than anything else i've ever read.

[the glue man]

This was a bad article. It needs more detail.

And ska originally had nothing to do with punk, so do not think that.

It came way before punk did.

And for an example, listen to the Toasters. THE ska band. Not NOFX or Less Than Jake, don't even call them ska anymore.

[Ska_is_fun]

well i wud like to say, most of the info on this is bullshit n lies.

HeavyReggea311 wrote:

My god, ska isn't a hard music concept to learn. I'm in a ska band alogn with reggea and jazz. Alright i'll break it down for all those who don't know what ska is.

There are 3 waves of ska
1st wave- Insturmentials, consisting of fast jazz, off-beat bass and drums with jazz like horns. This was found in New Orleans and one of the most reconized bands of this wave are the Skatelites.

2nd wave- This ska eventualy evolved form the jazz stage to the reggae stage. 2nd wave ska is mostly found in British bands. The clash is an example of 2nd wave ska. With the song rudy cant fail and police on my back many bands soon followed. The most reconized bands are The Specials, The Slackers, Bad Manners, Britt Beat. This is also the time period where the style of "skanking" came along.

3rd wave- this is the modern ska. evolving in the early 80's; punk was now blended into the scene. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Reel Big Fish, Operation Ivy, Toasters, Catch 22, Less than Jake and Sublime (i would list streetlight but thats pretty new) are all examples of the bands from 3rd wave ska.


so basically if you want to play 1st waves ska, play jazz scales and chords with palming the down picks.

2nd wave would be the 4 beat reggea chords with the traditional up-pick. Although if it is a skanking song then the tempo quickens.

3rd wave ska would be the power chords with fast up-picking along with down picking that all these people presented.

that is proboly the only person i agree with on here. thats all 100% rite.

'the glue man' also was correct, except for his comment on punk. cuz 2nd n 3rd wave ska both are influenced by ska. however, the toasters is an amazing band. nofx switched genres and less than jake has started a brand new one ... 'emoish ska'
so for all, ska is proboly the most interesting genres of music. not just because of the music itself, but becase of its roots are so interesting. so if anyone took the time to read this, please tell me what you think. thank you

[Edge_Rocks]

WHY HAS NO ONE MENTIONED TRIAD ???? wtf guys... Triads are a major part of raggae, and thus are a major part of ska. btw, HeavyRaggae311, very good history lesson on Ska. But yea, if you guys wanna learn to play ska in the sort of Streetlight Manifesto style, with heavy Brass and such, learn your triads and find a classic style tone.

[SkaStrummer]

The Specials + English Beat = All you need to experience incredible ska

[guitarkid2113]

SkaStrummer is totally right. The Beat rule!!!!!

[east bay brat]

eh this shit aint hard. the problem is that u cant read. does it make a difference if u play the downstroke and mute the upstroke.

[barangatang]

heavyreggae311:
They only wave of ska that has punk in it is 3rd wave.

heavyreggae311:

hey man, I agree with you on all your points except for this one.

What about the clash. They were second wave ska and did a fine job of mixing punk and ska, Listen to london calling.

[Mcut202]

this really wasn't that helpful.

[Trapt_in_purgat]

I play skacore....and this artical helped alot

[Jesse Nouveau]

As I've heard from one discripton of "Ska" it's related to punk. No, it's not.

Ska started in Jamaica, where Jamaicans purchased radios in increasing numbers after WWII. They picked up some US radio waves and heard early R&B and Jazz from Louisiana and other southern states. Although it's rumored that the bad signal quality sounded similar to what currently is Ska. So that was their response to the music they were hearing.

2-tone is the second generation of ska, now THAT is the mix of punk and ska music from the first generation. The name of the genre comes from "The Specials" 2-tone label, which incorporated bands such as Madness, The Beat (English Beat), The Selecter, Bad Manners, The Bodysnatchers, etc.

But SKA itself didn't evolve from Punk music, the second generation of ska (2-tone) incorporated punk styling (such as the edgy lyrics.)
Most of you are more framiliar with 3rd-wave ska, such as Big D and the Kids Table, Streetlight Manifesto/Catch 22, and The Pietasters. Which also includes punk influences.

Hope this was a good explanation of the genre, as most of you had trouble describing it. =)

[Lee is a twat]

SKA FUCKIN ROCKS!! simple. oh, Ollie if ya read this we should cover operation Ivy's Sound System.

[dampysmiff]

If ska is too hard to play what the hell music do you people play? I don't understand. Barre chords are a guitar fundamental IMO, if you can play barre chords and have a decent sense of rhythm you can play ska. I've only been playing about 6 months and I've found that while maybe difficult to master, the basics of ska guitar are pretty damn simple. If you can't play ska how can you play any great music? Most great music has at least some barre chords in it, the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, the Who they all at least use some. Maybe some of you need to stop posting on forums about playing guitar and playing more often before you gauge a style's difficulty.

And I'm out.

[travman_401]

dimebag7 wrote:

reggae is the shit, i love it

its never really been my style of music but ill admit i cant help but want to dance my ass off when I hear good reggae.

[mayin]

uhh.. hey guy who posted this "lesson".. these are freekin tabs man, this isn't a even a lesson.

removed some spam

[actoplus_met]

Mayin wrote:
uhh.. hey guy who posted this "lesson".. these are freekin tabs man, this isn't a even a lesson.

actually i think the tabs actually help you in practicing. to a beginner they would be more lost than people now ( and thats still a lot). people need to practice so im guessing thats what the tabs are for. to help master the basics.
and to all the people who say this sucks because it doesnt give enough information, its says freaking
SKA BASICS

bye

[agingpunker]

just testing - but a good starter lesson

[agingpunker]

This is a good lesson to start with. A few added comments….. The easiest way, and perhaps the best, to play the muted (x in tab) parts is to simply relieve the pressure on your fretting hand. You can try some complicated palm muting but that’s much harder for a beginner, although it does give a different texture. As far as the need to play barre chords, absolutely not true – but if you can’t play them…. learn it!!!! It’s basic. Let’s just conside for starters a C major chord. There’s two barre positions for this chord below the 12th fret (right…. Root on 3rd fret second string, or root on 8th fret first string: all my blah-blah about strings assumes the first string is the low E in standard tuning). However, there are many other voicing worth considering, especially in the context of Ska. For example, try playing the C major as follows: 7th fret 2nd string (E), 5th fret 3rd string (G) and 5th fret 4th string (C). Or, 12th fret 4th string (G), 13th fret 5th string (C), and 12th fret 6th string (E). Play these two voicings if you’re not familiar with them. Same notes but different feel. In terms of using them, consider the song structure. If you want the chord to “rise above” the song (say you want to accent a part of the song with the chord), then consider playing the C at the 12th/13th fret. This will bring you in the upper register and cut through the rest of the band. But don’t be a hog!!! Playing in a band means playing with others, so choose your voicings accordingly – should the guitar be in the background right now, or should it jump out and bite your ass??? – unfortunately the majority of guitar players (the bad ones anyhow) seem to think the guitar should be the primadonna all the freaking time…. Alas… Anyhow – someone made some rather silly remarks in the thread about power chords and metal heads. Ska can be played with power chords to great effect (in this case the palm muting is a good way to go if using distortion, gives you a more bottom sound in the x parts that releasing the pressure on the fretting hand). Try it… have some fun and try playing a chordal melody by changing the chords during the strumming (i.e., between the x parts). Ska is about “bounce” make the music bounce rhythmically and harmonically. Then, start putting riffs in the rhythm patterns, much more complicated but all good things come with practice. As far as practicing, start slow!!!! If you have no experience with the style, play it at half time, then slowly ramp up as you tighten up the playing at slower tempos. All in all – Ska is meant to be fun. Have fun! And if you want more of a challenge, pick up a bass and try Ska bass… your fingers may get tired but you’ll have a blast…. Anyhow – enjoy and I hope this is useful to someone.

[ajink101]

I don't even know WTF "ska" is...

but good lesson.

nice

[skaface]

Hewhocorrupts wrote:

As a guitarist whos played in everything from Ska, Punk, Hardcore, Grindcore and Deathmetal bands i'd have to say its harder to play ska than anything else (besides metal solos) and by the way, if yer using the word "fag" like an ignorant then you shouldn't even be associated with ska and punk so all you metalheads go get drunk and flirt with yer relatives. (also, NOFX is not ska, real ska are bands like Mustard Plug and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones)

Real ska is from Jamaica, fool. I went to see The Skatalites last night, that is real ska!

[sassamafras]

what about getting horn sections to work with guitars, any tips?

[Alex Ritchie]

sassamafras - trombones, trumpets, and tenor saxes are all tuned to B flat, which means when your guitar plays C, they're playing a B flat. Other horns have different tunings, so check up on that, but those three are the main horns for ska. It's a pain to work out those kinks, but the sound is worth it.

Also, Jesse Nouveau seems to be the only guy who has his history down. I'm quite surprised no one has mentioned Desmond Dekker, though, and don't forget Toots and the Maytals, Prince Buster, and Justin Hinds while you're at it. Also, for you third wavers, or anyone who likes ska, check out Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (they've had members of the Skatalites in their lineup on and off); Ska-P and Matrioska are a couple of European groups (Spanish and Italian respectively), and for a little bit of older stuff, check out Skank from Brazil and Desorden Publico from Venezuela. America isn't the only country to get ska, and these guys are certainly worth giving a listen.

Also, reggae isn't slowed down ska. Rocksteady is slowed down ska. While reggae is a descendant of ska, it incorporates other elements besides tempo into the mix, which differentiate it from its predecessors.

[saxboy]

I'm a saxophone player who is thinking about learning guitar. I love ska. Saw Streetlight and Reel Big Fish play last night and they are two bands to listen to to get a good feel for modern ska.

To correct Alex Ritchie on his transposition a little. If you play a C on a guitar then on a B flat instrument it will be a D. If on an E flat instrument that note would be an A. Not that it would be any help since I've never seen a ska band with a French horn in it, but on an instrument keyed in F the same note would be a G.

Hopefully that was some help. I don't know alot about guitars, but being a horn player I've had to transpose a little bit of music.

[lintkingofska]

hmmm i used to think ska was the only gener of music where people wern't asses to eachother.
damn.

[DuppyConqueror9]

wow ok u did some things wrong here...
1. the first lessson on this page u have the muted downstoke on the offbeat...wrong...the downstoke is the onbeat while the upstoke is on the offbeat.
2. same in the end by sublime doesnt use those chords...they use D- for the verses
3.ska isnt just limited to the basic upstoke theres different strumming rythmess and everything so great job knowing ska music (sarcasism much?)
4. before u try teach ska music - please try to learn it first

[Scabie]

Ok, an article about ska and over 3 years worth of comments and never once is the name Laurel Aitken mentioned. I mean c'mon, he's "the godfather of ska."
For those of you who like punk/ska, check out Leftover Crack or Choking Victim.

[Scabie]

WTF Where is my comment?

[Scabie]

Oh it appeared now. This thing is retarded.

[peaceonearth52]

PapeR CuTTT wrote:

i dont understand it ...how do u make that really quik sound? like a start stop thing

you mute like instantly after you play the chord

liste to white man in hammersmith palace by the clash and you'll see what i mean

[bengi]

heavyreggae311:

hey man, I agree with you on all your points except for this one.

What about the clash. They were second wave ska and did a fine job of mixing punk and ska, Listen to london calling.

all of the chords in london calling are played on the downbeat, not the upbeat. Dosn't that make it not ska?

[guitar00000]

who likes voodoo glow skulls...?

[ButtonzX]

guitar00000 wrote:

who likes voodoo glow skulls...?

Me.....

[ButtonzX]

guitar00000 wrote:

who likes voodoo glow skulls...?

Me.....

[ButtonzX]

Sorry for the double post, I don't know why it did that

[woodfromnorway]

Good songs.

[Soadfan8]

guitar00000 wrote:

who likes voodoo glow skulls...?

me

[TheSkaPlayer]

SKA IS DEAD IS ON TOUR
LOOK IT UP MAN!
i love ska thanks for this tutorial

[Youtsey]

How do you slide from a

e-0/1
b-1/2
g-2/3
d-2/3
a-0/1
E-0/1

?????

[SkamakaziVT]

pretty good but 2 things id like to point out. 1.) ska isnt supposed to be barre chords but some people prefer them. its supposed to be the last 4 to 3 strings. its actually not that hard once you get used to it. and 2.) that intro to Same in the End...yeah its wrong, sorry kid, there is no Am and it starts on Dm on only the last 4 strings. i have The sublime self titled albums Guitar sheet book. look into it