Reggae one drop

A deep, laid-back line that leaves beat 1 empty — the 'one drop' that gives reggae its floating feel.

← All bass lines & exercisesReggaeIntermediate
70 BPM
Start at 70 · goal 90 BPM
Press play — or hit the space bar.
Position on the neck
0 frets
Frets 5–8 · key: A natural minorSee the scale →
12EADG123412345575855758

Where to play it

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Playing now Notes in this lick

How to practise it

  1. Don't play on beat 1: the silence is the groove. Come in on the 'and' of 1.
  2. Play near the neck with soft fingers for a round, deep tone.
  3. Stay relaxed and a fraction behind the beat.
  4. Start at 70 BPM. Only speed up when you can play it cleanly three times in a row — the goal is 90 BPM.