BOB MARLEY REDEMPTION SONG

TG and Rockschool explore this acoustic classic from Bob Marley And The Wailers

Bob Marley’s ‘anthem of emancipation’ sees the reggae pioneer moving away from his roots and harnessing a folk sound more reminiscent of Bob Dylan. The track was released in 1980 as the twelfth cut from the Bob Marley And The Wailers’ Uprising album, and was performed on solo acoustic guitar – though a band version was later released.

For Rockschool’s Grade One arrangement, the chords employ only the top four strings (with the exception of the final G chord). This is great for beginners starting to master open chord fingerings, with very little movement needed between each shape. Try to work through these in isolation before linking together, and listen out for the syncopated strumming (the strums that land in between the strong beats). Rockschool have offered some strumming patterns to help you get the right feel: it can be helpful to emphasise the strong beats with downstrokes, alternating with the lighter upstrokes.