A rhythmic pattern fundamental to Latin and Caribbean music, typically played on wooden percussion instruments, that provides the heartbeat of songs.
From Spanish 'clave' meaning 'key' or 'keystone,' from Latin 'clavis.' The word refers to the key rhythm that holds everything together—literally the keystone of the music.
The clave rhythm is like a musical keystone: change it slightly and the entire song feels wrong to listeners, even non-musicians—it's hardwired into our culture's sense of groove.
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