How do you play claves?

To play claves, you hold one clave in each hand, with the cup shaped side facing toward you, and strike them together. Claves are played in a series of patterns, which are typically based on 3 or 6 strokes as claves are 3/2 and 2/3 instruments respectively. One side is lower pitched than the other. The basic clave patterns are:

Son clave (3-2):

- RRR/RLR/RLR/RLR/RL

Rumba clave (2-3):

- RLR/LRR/LRR/LRR/LR

Guaguancó clave: (three-against-two clave)

- RLR/LLR/RLR/LLR/RLR/LLR

Bossa Nova clave: (five-stroke clave)

- RRR/LLL/RRR/LLL/RRR/LLL