Reggae — Cavaquinho

Outside Brazil the cavaquinho is a newcomer to these styles, but its short, percussive strums fit reggae's off-beat chop nicely and add a thin, bright layer. Born in Jamaica, reggae breathes on the offbeat: the accent falls between the strong beats, creating that relaxed, hypnotic sway. Here you'll explore the major vamp and the minor vamp — a vamp, in other words, is a short pair of chords repeating in a loop, sounding open or moodier depending on the mode.

Progressions

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Updated July 9, 2026