The clave is a rhythmic pattern used as a tool for temporal organization in Brazilian and Cuban music. In Spanish, clave literally means key, clef, code, or keystone. It is present in a variety of genres such as Abakuá music, rumba, conga, son, mambo, salsa, songo, timba and Afro-Cuban jazz. The five-stroke clave pattern represents the structural core of many Cuban rhythms. The study of rhythmic methodology, especially in the context of Afro-Cuban music, and how it influences the mood of a piece
is known as clave theory.
Playing a pair of claves
3–2 piano guajeo: clave motif, written in cut-time (Playⓘ)
2–3 piano guajeo: clave motif, written in cut-time (Playⓘ)
3–2 guajeo: offbeat/onbeat motif, written in cut-time (Playⓘ)
Rhythm generally means a "movement marked by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions". This general meaning of regular recurrence or pattern in time can apply to a wide variety of cyclical natural phenomena having a periodicity or frequency of anything from microseconds to several seconds ; to several minutes or hours, or, at the most extreme, even over many years.
Percussion instruments have clearly defined sounds that aid the creation and perception of complex rhythms.
A Griot performs at Diffa, Niger, West Africa. The Griot is playing a Ngoni or Xalam.