Clave is a Spanish word meaning 'code,' 'key,' as in key to a mystery or puzzle, or ' keystone,' the wedge-shaped stone in the center of an arch that ties the other stones together. The rhythm also …

The meaning of CLAVE is past tense of cleave.

There are two basic types of clave: son or rumba clave. Most Afro-Cuban styles of music are built around one version of the clave pattern, which is fixed and repeated throughout the song, and forms …

May 21, 2025 · It’s not to do with tonality as the term ‘key’ usually refers to, but instead, the clave holds the music together like a keystone. It’s essentially a repeating rhythmic pattern that is often played on …

Aug 3, 2023 · What is a clave? The clave—pronounced clah-vé—is the underlying rhythm pattern used in Afro-Cuban and Latin American music—it is used particularly in mambo, salsa, Brazilian bossa …

Clave is both the keystone that holds all the pieces in balance and the guide to the sonic landscape. It is a clue to the puzzle of how the pieces fit, and the cornerstone of the music structure.

In this video, we'll explore the clave, an essential percussion instrument and rhythmic pattern that forms the backbone of many Afro-Cuban musical styles.

Claves were originally used in Afro-Cuban folk music and are among the instruments that maintain various fixed rhythmic patterns in Latin-American dance bands.

Nov 2, 2021 · Claves are idiophones—musical instruments that produce sound via the vibration of the entire instrument. Hardwood claves can be made from a variety of tonewoods, including rosewood, …

Learn about the rhythmic tradition of clave, its widespread use in traditional and contemporary music, and how to play the rhythm yourself.