"Talking about music is like dancing about architecture."
Clave:
Spanish for 'key'. Both the name of a five note rhythmic phrase divided into two parts, and the instrument (two wooden sticks) that the phrase is played on. ​This 'simple' beat, played on a simple instrument belies a sophisticated music theory developed in the Caribbean and surrounding regions, over the last 500 years with roots going back further to cross-rhythms developed in west Africa alongside Indigenous American and European musical traditions.
Clave concepts
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The Clave has a weak side (the two evenly spaced beats) and a strong side (the three syncopated beats).
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The Clave can begin with the 2 or the 3.
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​The Clave can be nested within more complex multi note 'stick' patterns played on bells, woodblocks (Kata), the side of the timbales (Cascara) or anything you can hit with a stick.
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The strong side (3 side) can be conceptualized as a single rhythmic phrase itself - the Tresillo.
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The Tresillo, repeated, underpins rhythms such as the Habanero, Bashment, Zouk and Reggaeton. It can also be heard throughout the world in traditional Arabic music styles, modern Flamenco and Indian music styles.
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The Tresillo can be nested within a five-note rhythmic pattern known as the Cinquillo. This common pattern can be heard in many styles of traditional music of the Caribbean such as Puerto Rican Bomba and Biguine from Guadeloupe.
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The second note of the tresillo is the Bombo.
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The third is the Poncho.
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When the poncho is delayed by a semi-quaver, the Clave transforms from a Son Clave to a Rumba Clave.
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When the 5th note of the Clave (starting on the 3-side) is delayed by a semi-quaver this is the classic rim-click heard on Bossa Nova. When the 4th note of the Clave (3:2) is ahead by a semi-quaver this forms a common rhythmic pattern (played often as piano chords) found in House Music.
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The Clave is crucial to holding together and guiding music but may not explicitly be played at all...