Clave

The clave is a fundamental rhythmic pattern and organizing principle in Cuban music. It serves as both a musical pattern and a guiding concept, deeply rooted in Afro-Cuban traditions.

🎵 1. Clave as a Rhythm

There are two main types of clave rhythms:

🔹 Son Clave

Common in Cuban son, salsa, and popular Cuban genres.

• 3-2 Son Clave:

| X - - X - - X - | - - X - - - - |

• 2-3 Son Clave:

| - - X - - - - | X - - X - - X - |

🔹 Rumba Clave

Used in rumba and more folkloric Afro-Cuban styles. Has a slightly more syncopated feel.

• 3-2 Rumba Clave:

| X - - X - - X - | - - X - - - - |

🧠 2. Clave as a Concept

• The clave is the structural foundation of Cuban music.
• Musicians must "play in clave", meaning their rhythms and phrasing align with the underlying clave pattern.
• The music can be in 3-2 or 2-3 clave, depending on where the stronger accent falls.

⚠️ Switching between 3-2 and 2-3 is called a clave reversal. It must be handled carefully to maintain rhythmic integrity.

🥁 3. Instruments That Play Clave

• Claves: Two hardwood sticks struck together to play the clave rhythm.
• Other instruments imply or support the clave:
• Congas
• bongos">Bongos
• Timbales
• Piano (montuno patterns)
• Horn lines

🚀 4. Clave in Modern Cuban Music

• Genres like timba and modern salsa treat clave more flexibly.
• Advanced arrangements may temporarily obscure the clave or play against it, only to realign later.
• Despite this, the clave always governs the music’s deeper structure.

📌 Summary

• Clave = heartbeat of Cuban music
• Two types: Son and Rumba
• Orientations: 3-2 and 2-3
• Musicians must stay "in clave" or risk disrupting the groove

🎧 Want to Explore Further?

Consider listening to:

• "Quimbara" – Celia Cruz (3-2 son clave)
• "Yambú" or "Guaguancó" styles of rumba (rumba clave)