When son first hit Havana, the sexteto format (6 instruments, no brass) was the model: guitar, tres, bongó, claves, maracas, and bass. These groups were lighter, closer to the rural sound but polished for urban dance halls. Famous example: Sexteto Habanero.
| Instrument | Role |
|---|---|
| Tres | the melodic engine: guajeos and solos |
| Guitar | chords and rhythm |
| Bass | at first often the marímbula or botija, later the double bass |
| Bongó | the only drum: free playing and ornaments |
| Claves | the clave pattern |
| Maracas | often played by the singer |
The Sexteto Habanero got its classic line-up in 1920: guitar, tres, bongó, claves, maracas and double bass. In the 1920s the sextetos became the sound of son in Havana. In the late 1920s a trumpet was added, and many sextetos became septetos.
Sexteto son is light and open: without horns and congas you hear the clave, the tres and the bongó clearly. Ideal for learning to dance on the clave.