What is the clave rhythm and why is it important?

The sound was loud, sharp, and penetrating. The Africans started fashioning these pegs into smooth, round sticks that could be used as rhythm instruments. They could perpetuate rhythms from Africa, and these claves have remained an important part of all salsa and Afro-cuban bands to this day.

What is the clave in salsa?

The clave is basically 2 sticks struck together in either a 2/3 or 3/2 rhythm. Clave literally translates as key or code and is the original base beat of cuban son (the precursor of salsa). The congas are the tall African style Cuban hand drums that you may have seen if you’ve ever seen live salsa music.

What are the 2 clave patterns?

There are two clave patterns; son and rumba.

What does clave mean in Cuba?

In Spanish, clave literally means key, clef, code, or keystone. It is present in a variety of genres such as Abakuá music, rumba, conga, son, mambo, salsa, songo, timba and Afro-Cuban jazz. The five-stroke clave pattern represents the structural core of many Afro-Cuban rhythms.

What is the most common rhythm claves play?

son clave
There are many forms of clave in Latin music, but the style most commonly heard in popular music is the son clave, which originates in Cuba.

Is salsa from Africa?

Salsa is a set of Afro-Caribbean rhythms fused with jazz and other styles. The truth is that its origins have always been much debated, although as a general rule it is mentioned that it comes from a fusion that came from Africa in the Caribbean when they heard European music and wanted to mix it with their drums.

Is salsa a polyrhythm?

Salsa has two consistent properties. It is polyrhythmic in nature. This includes the dancer’s rhythm pattern in addition to individual instrument patterns.

Is a clave a polyrhythm?

Polyrhythm is the simultaneous use of two or more rhythms that are not readily perceived as deriving from one another, or as simple manifestations of the same meter. For example, the son clave is poly-rhythmic because its 3 section suggests a different meter from the pulse of the entire pattern.

Who is the most famous Cuban artist?

Here are seven of the top contemporary Cuban artists that you should keep an eye on.

• Roberto Fabelo.
• Tania Bruguera.
• Carmen Herrera.
• Alexandre Arrechea.
• Yoan Capote.
• Kcho.
• Carlos Garaicoa.
• Manuel Mendive.

What kind of clave is used in Afro Cuban music?

The two main clave patterns used in Afro-Cuban music are known in North America as son clave and the rumba clave. Both are used as bell patterns across much of Africa. Son and rumba clave can be played in either a triple-pulse (12 8 or 6

What’s the difference between son clave and rumba clave?

Both the son clave and rumba clave can follow a 2-3 or 3-2 pattern. In a 2-3 pattern, the first measure contains two beats of the clave rhythm and the second measure contains three beats of the clave rhythm. 3-2 is the opposite of 2-3. A song will only be based on one version of a clave rhythm.

What does the clave mean in reggaeton music?

The clave is the foundation of reggae, reggaeton, and dancehall. In this sense, it is the “heartbeat” that underlies the essence of these genres. The rhythms and vibrations are universalized in that they demonstrate a shared cultural experience and knowledge of these roots.

What do you do with the clave pattern?

Clap, tap, or play the clave pattern along with the song. The last lesson in this series will explore other patterns and chord progressions that are commonly used with clave patterns, with the students creating a simple Afro-Cuban groove for composition or performance. Download “The Clave” complete lesson.