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Learn how the Play the Rhumba Clave

The Rhumba Clave is another very popular pattern out of the clave family. You will hear this pattern in all sorts of music like Salsa, Bossa Nova, Samba, Latin, Afro-Cuban, and even some jazz or swing. This is a very important concept to learn with both hands as well as feet, as it will teach you important independence; it is the key for Latin drumming! Like the Son Clave, the Rhumba is a 2 bar pattern consisitng of 5 beats. You can play this beat two ways: 2-3 and 3-2. There is no real easy way in describing how to perform this pattern, so I will just show you what it looks like. Keep in mind these are played in common time (4/4).

*If you are unsure of what a Clave pattern is, read the article: What is the Clave

2-3 Rhumba Clave

3-2 Rhumba Clave

Remember to play both of these slow at first to make sure you are playing them correctly. Also, try to count aloud when you are playing them, this way you will stay on time. When you have this mastered you will be able to feel a groove within the clave. This is exactly what you are looking for. When you can perform this with both hands, try playing this with your feet. This will give you much more options around the drum set! Check out the left foot clave lesson! When it is time to move on, try to learn the Bossa Nova Clave!

For more information make sure that you check out the Latin Drumming System. Its due to be released Spring 2007 and will cover all of the concepts necessary to master latin drumming methods. This beginner to advanced training pack will be everything you will ever need to play latin drum beats and grooves.

By:Dave Atkinson

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