Claves

Claves, wood blocks or sound sticks are used in pairs percussion instrument from the group of Gegenschlagidiophone. They have a short, dry sound without reverberation.

The claves are originally from Africa and have particularly gained in Cuba in importance. In Cuban music you hear is almost always the Claves - be it son, rumba, salsa or Salsaton. In Colombian or Puerto Rican Salsa Claves are played less frequently, but are a typical feature of Cuban salsa.

There are simple bars from 20 to 30 cm length, struck against each other, result in a high piercing sound. As the material of hardwood and glass-fiber reinforced plastic or easier to use.

To tone a wooden stick is flat in the hand cupped whose curved fingers form a resonant cavity. In order for the wood vibrates, the sound of wood must be held loosely in the hands. The other sound wood is now proposing horizontally from the top and it at an angle of about 60 °.

In its origins, the claves were long wooden boat nails, which were used as percussion instruments. Hence the name (Spanish for " clavo " = nail ). " Claves " is often mistakenly translated as "key", which is not true in this context.

Despite its simplicity, Claves are for different styles of Latin American music, especially Son, Salsa and Bossa Nova fundamental, since they form the rhythmic backbone for this music ( Clave ), according to which judge all others ( percussion ) instruments. A variant of Puerto Rico called Cuá.

The game ( the clock ) of the Clave is typical and there are seven basic rhythm types that are created with the claves. 6/8 Clave (origin), 2/3 Son Clave, 3/2 Son Clave, 2/3 Rumba Clave, 3/2 rumba clave, 2/3, Bossa Nova Clave, 3/2 bossa nova clave. 2/3 means two shots in the first four quarters, and three shots in the second 4- / fourth The beats are played at full and half marks, which in turn differ according to Son, Rumba and Bossa Nova. The Clave has evolved and in the Latin Jazz Clave rhythms are now created in 7/4- or 10/4-Takt. The best-known rhythm is 3/2 Son Clave, because it starts on one of the beat.

However, the 2/3 Son Clave is Salsa majority hear (starts at two). The difference during a piece of music for a layman is difficult to see, especially when the clave is not played. The whole rhythm framework is based on the specification of the Clave. The congas for example, are played entirely in the rhythm of the Clave. A professional Congalero thinks the beat of the clave and plays the rhythm of the congas.

Tonewoods have a long tradition in various cultures. The Australian Aborigines for example, use eucalyptus wood for their clap sticks.

Sample Claves? / I

Quotes

  • Si vienes del extranjero y tu lo quieres bailar, lleva el ritmo de las claves - Do you come from far and wish him dance ( the Son), so feel the rhythm of the Clave sin clave y bongó no hay son - without clave and bongo there is no sound
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