Clave (rhythm)

The clave is a rhythmic pattern used as a tool for temporal organization in Brazilian and Cuban music. 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 Cuban rhythms.
The study of rhythmic methodology, especially in the context of Afro-Cuban music, and how it influences the mood of a piece is known as clave theory.

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Source: Wikipedia · Image: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

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