Ska Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Ska
Stylistic origins	Jamaican mento calypso jazz rhythm and blues
Cultural origins	Late 1950s, Jamaica
Typical instruments	Electric guitar bass guitar trumpet trombone saxophone piano drum kit electric organ
Derivative forms	Rocksteady reggae
Fusion genres
2 Tone ska jazz ska pop ska punk ska-core spouge Christian ska
Regional scenes
Japan Australia United States United Kingdom
Other topics
Third wave ska list of ska musicians rude boy mod skinhead Suedehead traditional skinhead

Ska is a lively type of music that started in Jamaica in the late 1950s. It quickly became very popular. Ska music has a special upbeat sound. Later, in the late 1960s, ska music became slower and changed into reggae.

What Does Ska Music Sound Like?
How Ska Musicians Dress
Ska's Comeback in the 1980s
Ska Mixed with Punk Rock in the 1990s
Famous Ska Bands
Images for kids
See also

What Does Ska Music Sound Like?

Ska bands use many different instruments. You will often hear electric guitars, electric bass guitars, pianos, and organs. They also have brass instruments like saxophones, trumpets, and trombones.

In ska, the guitar and piano play short, sharp chords. They play these chords on the "off-beat." Imagine counting "one-AND-two-AND-three-AND-four." The "AND" is the off-beat. This gives ska its bouncy, energetic feel.

Ska singers often use a Jamaican style called "toasting." When a singer is "toasting," they might make sounds, repeat words, or shout into the microphone. They also invent rhymes as they sing. This "toasting" style later helped create rap music in the 1980s.

How Ska Musicians Dress

Musicians who play ska often wear cool hats and suits. Many ska bands use clothes with a black and white chessboard pattern. This pattern shows how ska music mixes different styles and brings together Black and White musicians. Doc Martens are also a common type of shoe worn by ska fans. Some British ska-punk bands even started wearing kilts!

Ska's Comeback in the 1980s

Even though ska began in the 1950s, it became super popular again in the 1980s. This happened especially in Britain. Famous ska bands from the 1980s include The Specials, The Selecter, The English Beat (also known as "The Beat" in England), and Madness.

Ska Mixed with Punk Rock in the 1990s

In the 1990s, some bands started mixing ska music with Punk rock. This new style was called ska-punk. It became popular in England and the United States. Some pop-punk bands from the 1990s also added ska-punk sounds to their music.