Drums for Latin Styles
Everything locks to one repeating skeleton: the clave. Learn how it organizes Latin grooves from son to bossa nova.
Clave: the organizing rhythm
Most Latin styles are built around clave — a repeating two-bar rhythmic pattern, most famously the son clave, that acts as the skeleton the rest of the music hangs on. Rather than every instrument playing independently, bass drum, snare, hi-hat, and hand percussion parts are all composed to agree with — or deliberately play against — that clave pattern.
3-2 vs. 2-3
Son clave has five hits split unevenly across two bars: three hits in one bar, two in the other. Which bar comes first gives the pattern its name — 3-2 clave plays the three-hit bar first, 2-3 clave plays the two-hit bar first. Neither is "more correct"; which one an arrangement uses depends on which bar the melody and other parts are written to align with.
Common questions
What is a clave rhythm?
A repeating two-bar rhythmic pattern that acts as the organizing skeleton for many Latin styles, with other parts written to agree with it.
What is the difference between 3-2 and 2-3 clave?
Both use the same five hits across two bars; 3-2 plays the three-side first, 2-3 plays the two-side first.
Do all Latin styles use the same clave?
No — son, rumba, and bossa nova clave share the same two-bar concept but differ in exact placement.
How does clave affect the whole drum kit?
Bass drum, snare, hi-hat, and percussion parts are composed to lock in with — or intentionally play against — the clave.
Internalize clave by ear
Melody Monkey's rhythm tools help you feel a repeating pattern before you try to read or write it out.
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