: one of a pair of cylindrical hardwood sticks that are used as a percussion instrument
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Cimafunk’s sound is thoroughly Caribbean, with strong clave timeline and hand-clap patterns chopping up the music, which also has elements of futuristic soul and hip-hop. John Adamian, courant.com, 14 Aug. 2019 The beat has a hint of Caribbean clave, while the chords move from minor to major, embracing temporary satisfaction.New York Times, 16 Feb. 2018 Just then, the DJ introduces a tango record, and the clave finally catches its breath. Adam Hurly, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Jan. 2018 Performing live in the Spotify studios, the bassist Jahmal Nichols keeps this quintet steadily bobbing with a simple clave pattern.New York Times, 16 Feb. 2018 The entrancing expedition of an album opens with a track highlighted by a hypnotizing clave from Klik & Frik, the cumbia-tripping duo Frikstailers’ side project. Judy Cantor-navas, Billboard, 23 June 2017 The musician and educator Jadele McPherson led a crowd of about 50 through a basic lesson in Afro-Cuban clave rhythms. Giovanni Russonello, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2017 See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun
American Spanish, from Spanish, keystone, clef, from Latin clavis