World Beat North African Rhythms

Moroccan Clave’

By Dave Haddad

18 Beats are demonstrated; 16 Sequential Variations and 2 Composite Beats. 

EXAMPLE 1:

Ostinato pattern to be played in every beat.  Pay attention to the accents; count 1, the “a” of 1 and on count 3.  Pattern is played on the hi-hat in the examples but can also be played on a cowbell or ride cymbal. 

EXAMPLE 2:

With the ostinato pattern being played by your lead hand (most cases our right hand) on the hi-hat, your other hand now plays the first of our syncopation's which is simple quarter notes on the cross-stick.

EXAMPLE 3:

While playing the ostinato on the hi-hat and quarter notes on the cross-stick we now add the kick on the downbeat (count 1) of each measure.

EXAMPLE 4:

Quarter notes on the cross-stick, the kick pattern now changes to count 1 and the “&” of 2.

EXAMPLE 5:

Quarter notes on the cross-stick, the kick now plays on count 1, the “a” of 1 and the “&” of 2.

EXAMPLE 6:

Quarter notes on the cross-stick, the kick now plays on count 1, the “&” of 2 and the “e” of 3.

EXAMPLE 7:

Quarter notes on the cross-stick, the kick plays on count 1, the “a” of 1, the “&” of 2 and the “e” of 3.

EXAMPLE 8:

Quarter notes now shift to the kick drum.  Playing quarter notes on the kick drum, the cross-stick plays on the down beat of each measure.

EXAMPLE 9:

Quarter notes on the kick, the cross-stick now plays on count 1 and the “&” of 2.

EXAMPLE 10:

Quarter notes on the kick, the cross-stick plays on count 1, the “a” of 1 and the “&” of 2.

EXAMPLE 11:

Quarter notes on the kick, the cross-stick plays on count 1, the “&” of 2 and the “e” of 3.

EXAMPLE 12:

Quarter notes on the kick, the cross-stick plays on count 1, the “a” of 1, the “&” of 2 and the “e” of 3.

EXAMPLE 13:

Quarter notes on the kick, the cross-stick plays on count 1 and the “a” of 1.

EXAMPLE 14:

Quarter notes on the kick, the cross-stick plays on count 1, the “a” of 1 and the “e” of 3.

EXAMPLE 15:

Quarter notes on the cross-stick, the kick plays on count 1 and the “a” of 1.

EXAMPLE 16:

Quarter notes on the cross-stick, the kick plays on count 1, the “a” of 1 and the “e” of 3.

COMPOSITE BEAT 1 (2 bar phrase):

Quarter notes played on the kick drum, the cross-stick plays on the “&” of 1, the “&” of 2, the “e” and “a” of 3.  Next bar the cross-stick plays on the “&” of 1, the “&” of 2 and the “e” of 3.

COMPOSITE BEAT 2 (2 bar phrase):

Quarter notes played on the kick drum, the cross-stick plays on the “a” of 1, the “&” of 2 and the “e” of 3.  Next bar the cross-stick plays on counts 2 and 3.