The clave (Spanish for “key”) is a five‑stroke timeline from Afro‑Cuban music that other parts lock to. Instead of being just a sound, it functions like a rhythmic spine: when parts stay “in clave,” the music naturally gains forward motion and swing.
Common forms
- Son clave (3‑2 or 2‑3): five hits over two bars. In 4/4 counted in sixteenths, the classic 3‑2 version accents 1, the “a” of 1, the “&” of 2, the “&” of 3, and 4.
- Rumba clave (3‑2 or 2‑3): identical except the third hit lands one sixteenth later (on 2a instead of 2&), giving a more rolling, syncopated feel.
- Tresillo: the first three notes of the son clave (1, 1a, 2&) form a near‑even three‑over‑two spacing that shows up everywhere from Latin to pop and reggaeton.
Why it works
- Asymmetry (3+2 or 2+3 across two measures) creates tension/release.
- Acts as a guide for phrasing and syncopation even if the physical clave sound is muted.
- Fits straight 4/4 or 12/8 feels; tiny placement changes reshape the groove.
Sequencing with synths
- Map the five hits to stabs, bass notes, or percussive synth clicks instead of claps/sticks.
- Choose a short, crisp voice (pluck, block, click); let drums and pads orbit this timeline.
- Switch between 3‑2 and 2‑3 (rotation) to flip the push–pull of a section.
- Use tresillo on bass for immediate danceable syncopation; let hats ride straight for contrast.
- Try 12/8 phrasing for a lilting, Afro‑inspired swing; or keep it in straight 4/4 for techno contexts.
Arrangement ideas
- Build around the five anchors: fill remaining grid slots sparsely for air and propulsion.
- Layer polymetric parts against the clave (e.g., a 5‑step melodic loop over a 4/4 grid) to intensify the forward pull while keeping a clear reference.
- Automate rotation: shift the starting step by one sixteenth between sections for subtle evolution.
Musical intuition
- A little space goes a long way: five decisive notes can carry an entire groove.
- Keep at least one obvious pulse (kick or drone) so syncopation reads as intentional, not messy.
Examples (16-step)
- Use the pattern selector to flip between son, rumba, or tresillo shapes, and rotate the anchor by up to one bar to hear how phrasing changes without changing the density.