Claves
 |
|
| Percussion instrument | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Hand percussion |
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 111.11 (Concussion sticks) |
| Playing range | |
| Single note | |
Claves (Spanish pronunciation: ['klaβes], Anglicized pronunciation: CLA(H)-vays) are a percussion instrument (idiophone), consisting of a pair of short (about 20–30 cm (7.9–11.8 in), thick dowels. Traditionally they are made of wood, typically rosewood, ebony or grenadilla. In modern times they are also made of fibreglass or plastics.
When struck they produce a bright clicking noise. Claves are sometimes hollow and carved in the middle to amplify the sound.
Claves are very important in Cuban music, such as the son and guaguancó. They are often used to play a repeating rhythmic figure throughout a piece, known as clave, a key pattern (or guide-pattern, timeline patter, phrasing referent, bell pattern) that is also found in African music and Brazilian music. Among the better known rock recordings featuring claves are the Beatles' recording "And I Love Her," and "Magic Bus" by the Who.
Steve Reich's Music for Pieces of Wood is written for five pairs of claves.
...
Wikipedia