The
clave is a rhythmic pattern which can be found throughout many
different styles of music. From big band to jazz, from hip hop
to rock, from funk to pop, and, oh yeah, in afro-caribbean ("latin")
styles, the clave is a very popular rhythm. This rhythm can
also be used as a warm-up exercise.
Here
are four patterns which I hope you'll find interesting.
Pattern
#1 is from the great percussion master, Jose Luis Quintana,
"Changuito". Changuito can be heard playing this pattern
on our upcoming book, "Playing Afro-Cuban Timbales with
Changuito" due out in late summer from Warner Brothers.
Changuito plays this as a warm-up exercise and he also uses
this pattern on timbales, especially on the high drum or "macho".
Pattern
#2 is from my book Practical Applications, Part 1. It is an
application, using a combination of different stickings, of
the rumba clave. The different stickings involved could be thought
of as paradiddles, paradiddle-diddles, and doubles.
Pattern
#3 is also from my book Practical Applications, Part 1. It is
an application of the son clave.
Pattern
#4 is from Changuito. It is the rumba clave and is a different
phrasing of the clave. Whereas the previous two patterns took
two measures to state the clave pattern, #4 does it in one measure.
As with
any warm-up exercise, the tempos should be slow at first. Get
used to the sticking patterns first. The idea here is to use
the clave, a very basic pattern, as the basis for an exercise.
It is the feel of the clave with which we are working, not just
a bunch of stickings. First, however, you must learn the stickings.
Then, have the feel of the clave take over. This can be a very
productive and fun way to warm up!
I have
found some great applications of these patterns, especially
numbers 2 and 4. See what you come up with, letting the feel
of the groove lead the way. Make sure and e-mail
me with any comments and suggestions, or drop me a tape at
POB 572962
Tarzana, CA 91357
USA
with your rhythmic
inventions!
