Something interesting that I learned

[yohin]

I was recently talking to an experienced drummer I know who studied music in college and has been drumming for several decades. One thing he mentioned was that in some form or another, the clave pattern is in virtually all American music.



At first I didn't believe him, but he challenged me to name a song that isn't based off a variation of the clave rhythm. He pointed out claves in all kinds of songs that I would have never thought were there. Sometimes they're really subtle so it's hard to pick up. Even when I tried to stump him by naming some songs with really convoluted rhythms like Tool, he still was able to find the clave pattern in them. For example the main riff in "The Pot" by Tool is based off alternating 3/2 and 2/3 claves, even though it sounds like some really weird rhythm.

Just thought that was really interesting and goes to show that there really is something new to learn every day.

[isaacvining]

I've noticed that most of the popular pop hooks or melodies are based upon consecutive dotted notes, like the first three notes of a clave pattern, so I can totally see what you're talking about.

I don't know if I would really consider them "clave rhythms" just because they're dotted notes or have a similar rhythm to a clave, but regardless I can understand that idea. Pretty neat!

[soren-k]

Just thought that was really interesting and goes to show that there really is something new to learn every day.

I think what you mean is there really is something OLD to learn every day.

[pastor_bob]

Interesting. I would never have thought of that. Thanks for the insight yohin.

[late8]

Cool observation Matt. I also noticed a lot of tambourine in American music as well.