Latin percussion and the clave
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify some common Latin percussion instruments and create a rhythmic composition that incorporates the clave rhythm.
Key learning points
- The music of Latin America is extremely varied.
- Many styles are influenced by colonial history, drawing on European, Asian, African and indigenous American music.
- Many styles use Latin percussion instruments, including woodblock, claves, guiro, congas, bongos and maracas.
- There are often complex syncopated rhythms, including the son clave and rumba clave rhythms.
- A clave rhythm can be arranged as a 3-2 clave or a 2-3 clave.
Keywords
Latin America - Spanish and Portugese-speaking parts of Central and South America are referred to as Latin America.
Latin percussion - Latin percussion instruments are those that are common in Latin American music. Examples include cabasa, guiro, claves and maracas.
Syncopated - A syncopated rhythm is one that emphasises notes in between the main beats.
Son clave - The Cuban son clave is the most common clave rhythm.
Rumba clave - The rumba clave is another common clave rhythm, with the last note of the ‘3’ delayed by a quaver.
Common misconception
The 2:3 clave starts on the same beat as the 3:2 clave.
The 2:3 clave starts with a crotchet rest. Make sure when performing or recording this that you count 'rest, 1, 2' for the '2' section of the rhythm.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils in the practical activity to explore different Latin percussion instruments as well as those listed and, if they wish, develop a longer polyrhythmic percussion composition using the clave. Encourage pupils to explore the different claves and experiment with 3:2 and 2:3 forms.
Equipment
Latin percussion instruments if available; DAW.
Licence
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