Musical genres begot other musical genres that in turn have other musical offspring. Sometimes it's confusing if you're a musician trying to figure out the best way to approach a new and unfamiliar song, style or band situation. Ska music is an example, as its bouncy, upbeat feel can be a hard style to master. Whether you're a drummer, bass player or guitarist approaching ska for the first time, realize it's all about supporting the brass.
History
Somewhat of an accident, ska music is well rooted in the mid- to late '60s, combining some of that era's R&B elements with emerging Jamaican reggae and free-form jazz. Ska pioneers like The Skatalites became overnight sensations, which led to outsiders being exposed to the music then adding their own flavor, as with the infusion of punk into ska in the late 1970s. By the early '90s, ska had morphed more into punk-ska music (a.k.a. blue beat or rocksteady), becoming a springboard for many hit-making acts to make the big time.
Features
In addition to the usual presence of guitar, bass and drums, ska's main musical element is the inclusion of horn section, usually consisting of trumpet, trombone and the occasional saxophone. Keyboards are a feature in some bands as well. Some acts even employ more than one singer. Ska is characterized by its trademark upbeat feel and, for many ska bands, an abundant lyrical sense of humor.
Performance
For drummers, simplicity is key when providing ska's backbeat. Nearly all ska is played in 4/4 time, although modern punk-ska music is played with a higher beats per minute than its predecessor. Offbeat fills are largely uncommon. Guitars usually play with a clean signal (meaning no distortion or other tone-altering effects) and strum chords on the second and fourth beats of a four-beat measure. For bassists, a deep reggae-like tone is preferred (dialing down the mids in favor of boosting the low bass signal). Walking bass lines, a jazz standard, are also the norm. The horn section usually plays intermittently throughout a typical ska song, adding emphasis to a song's chorus.
Significance
Ska music's original intent was to get people to dance, and despite its more recent punk rock inclinations, that intent remains unchanged. Ska even spawned its own energized dance, called "skanking," performed by essentially running in place, exaggeratedly bending the knees to a song's beat. The arms punch the hands upward or outward, alternating with the beat and with the legs and feet.
Famous Ties
The 1990s' punk-ska mainstays such as No Doubt, Reel Big Fish, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Fishbone all found some degree of chart success by bringing ska to the forefront of America's musical consciousness. Especially of note is multi-platinum seller No Doubt, whose earlier work leaned heavily toward the punk-ska element and helped launch singer Gwen Stefani's pop career.
