claves
A pair of short wooden sticks struck together to produce a sharp, penetrating click that anchors Latin rhythms.
In Depth
Claves are among the simplest instruments in existence — two cylindrical hardwood sticks, typically 20-25 centimetres long and 2-3 centimetres in diameter. One is held loosely in the cupped hand (the resonator) while the other strikes it, producing a bright, cutting click that can be heard above an entire ensemble.
Despite their simplicity, claves play a crucial role in Latin American music. The clave pattern — a specific rhythmic figure played on the claves — is the rhythmic foundation of son cubano, salsa, rumba, and many other Afro-Cuban genres. Everything in the ensemble relates to the clave pattern, and playing against it is considered a serious musical error.
The clave pattern is so fundamental to Afro-Cuban music that musicians say the clave is not just a rhythm — it is a philosophy. Every note in the ensemble must relate to it.