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Year 10 - Music

Latin percussion and the clave

Rhythms and conventions of Latin and Caribbean music

Unit Summary

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Lesson Summary

You will learn to identify some common Latin percussion instruments and create a rhythmic composition that incorporates the clave rhythm.

Key Notes

  • The music of Latin America is extremely varied.
  • Many styles are influenced by colonial history, drawing on European, Asian, African and indigenous American music.
  • Many styles use Latin percussion instruments, including woodblock, claves, guiro, congas, bongos and maracas.
  • There are often complex syncopated rhythms, including the son clave and rumba clave rhythms.
  • A clave rhythm can be arranged as a 3-2 clave or a 2-3 clave.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Latin America: Spanish and Portugese-speaking parts of Central and South America are referred to as Latin America.
  • Latin percussion: Latin percussion instruments are those that are common in Latin American music. Examples include cabasa, guiro, claves and maracas.
  • Syncopated: A syncopated rhythm is one that emphasises notes in between the main beats.
  • Son clave: The Cuban son clave is the most common clave rhythm.
  • Rumba clave: The rumba clave is another common clave rhythm, with the last note of the '3' delayed by a quaver.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • The 2:3 clave starts on the same beat as the 3:2 clave.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

The music of Latin America is extremely varied. Many styles are influenced by colonial history, drawing on European, Asian, African and indigenous American music.

2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'Latin America'

Spanish and Portugese-speaking parts of Central and South America are referred to as Latin America.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: The 2:3 clave starts on the same beat as the 3:2 clave. Correction: The 2:3 clave starts with a crotchet rest. Make sure when performing or recording this that you count 'rest, 1, 2' for the '2' section of the rhythm.

More Lessons In This Unit

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