Claves Professional Percussion Instruments

Claves

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Claves consist of small, thick dowels usually made of wood, however, some are made of synthetic materials. Claves are frequently used in some forms of Latin music. They are important in setting the rhythm in a song. In fact, the rhythm they are often used to produce is called the clave. They are capable of producing a loud, sharp sound.

By using different types of wood to make claves, it is possible to produce different tones and volumes depending on which model is used. Some models may also feature a design whereby one clave is hollow and the other solid. Hitting the hollow one produces an amplified sound.

To play the claves, the percussionist must hold them in a particular way. They are played in pairs. One clave is held (near its centre) in the one hand by gripping it with the thumb and index finger. The palm of the hand should form a "cup" pointed upward. This cup serves to produce a resonance chamber that amplifies the sound. The other clave is held in the other hand similar to the way one holds a drumstick. The percussionist then hits this clave on the centre of the other one (where the cupped hand is holding it).

Claves are important in Latin music, however, they can be used in many other musical styles and settings. They can be used to set the rhythm, or they can used to produce percussion effects that add variety to the music. The loud, clear sounds produced by claves are able to cut through other instruments, making them ideally suited for use in higher volume settings. They can also be used in lower volume acoustic settings to contribute the rhythm or add additional percussion accents. The versatility and unique sound characteristics of claves make them excellent additions to any drummer's or percussionist's set up.

Displaying 1 to 4 (of 4 products)

Model	Manufacturer-	Item Name	Price
CL 8102	Schlagwerk Percussion	Schlagwerk Claves Acacia 24 mm Schlagwerk's 24 mm (diameter) Acacia Claves are made from exotic acacia wood. These claves produce...	$35.80
CL 8105	Schlagwerk Percussion	Schlagwerk Claves Acacia 27 mm Schlagwerk's 27 mm (diameter) Acacia Claves are made from exotic acacia wood. These claves produce...	$36.73
CL 8103	Schlagwerk Percussion	Schlagwerk Profi-Claves Jacaranda 25 mm Schlagwerk's Profi-Claves are made from exotic jacaranda wood and are 25 mm in diameter. This...	$42.33
CL 8106	Schlagwerk Percussion	Schlagwerk Claves Bubinga 27 mm Schlagwerk's Bubinga Claves are made from selected, exotic bubinga wood and are 27 mm in diameter....	$39.72