Drums: The main driving force of reggae, usually consisting of a bass drum, snare drum, hi-hats, and various other percussion instruments.
Bass guitar: Provides the deep, heavy foundation for the music.
Guitar: Provides rhythm and lead parts, often with a heavy emphasis on skanking, a signature rhythmic style of reggae.
Keyboards: Includes instruments like the organ, piano, melodica, and synthesizer, adding various melodic and harmonic textures to the music.
Horns: Typically include the saxophone, trombone, and trumpet, contributing distinctive melodic lines and countermelodies.
Percussion: Various other percussion instruments such as timbales, bongos, congas, cowbell, etc., adding to the overall rhythmic pulse of reggae.
Vocals: Vocals are a crucial element in reggae, usually featuring sing-jay style (a blend of singing and toasting, a rhythmic spoken-word style with a Jamaican patois), harmonies, and choruses.