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¿QUE PASA? MAGAZINE USA

Dancing On Clave

Much controversy exists regarding how to dance Salsa. On-1 dancers and On-2 dancers continually bicker about which way is better,
each group insisting that their way is correct. However, to achieve greatness, one must dance without counting,
not On-1 or On-2, but on the clave,
by learning to hear, identify and use it in the dance.

By Barbara Craddock

Latin music is a mixture of two distinctly different musical genres -- the hypnotic repetitive syncopation found in African music, and the European or western “square” rhythm. Clave is a syncopated rhythm covering two bars in 4/4 time. It seeded in Cuba in the very early 1800’s. The slaves were fascinated by the chamber orchestras entertaining the plantation owners at their soirees, and the plantation owners were mesmerized by the rhythmic sounds emanating from the slave quarters. Each tinkered with the other’s sound, until in 1803, the first “hint” of clave was heard in a 1-1/2 minute composition, combining chamber instruments in their classic patterns and the African clave sticks, distinctly tapping out da da da, da da. All Latin music is written in clave. All of the instruments in the orchestra play in clave; therefore, dancers in order to be “in rhythm” must learn to step on the clave.

Cuban Pete

The syncopated rhythm of the clave governs all Latin music. It is its metronome. It is what gives Latin music its swing. A full clave has two halves, a front half, and a back half. For the dancer, the two side of the clave is its strong side, (musically it is the weak side), which is marked on the forward step by the male, and the back step by the female. . If one counts the eight beats in two bars of music the forward clave, called a 3/2 clave, is counted 1, 2-1/2, 4, 6, 7, with the two side being the 6, 7. In a reverse clave called a2/3 clave, it is counted

2, 3, 5, 6-1/2, 8, with the two side being the 2, 3. Most of today’s music is written as a forward clave or a 3/2 clave. As a dancer, you train your ear to hear the two-side first, and step accordingly, no matter which way it runs. Once you do, you no longer have to count. Clave in Spanish, translated means “key” in English, supporting the fact, that clave is the “key” to the music. Claves are a musical instrument, two wooden sticks, that when tapped together mark the distinct rhythmic clicking sound of the clave. The larger one, held in the left hand, is the female or the hembra, and the smaller one, the striker, is the male, or the macho, in the right hand.

X --- X -------X -----X---X
1--2 --- -3 - --4 --5 --6 --7---8

---X - X - -- X - - -X -- X
1 -2 - 3 - -4 -5 --6 ---7--8

Much controversy exists regarding how to dance Salsa. On-1 dancers and On-2 dancers continually bicker about which way is better, each group insisting that their way is correct. However, to achieve greatness, one must dance without counting, not On-1 or On-2, but on the clave, by learning to hear, identify and use it in the dance.

On-1 dancers dance outside the music. On-2 dancers dance on top of the music. Clave dancers dance inside the music, which gives the dance a completely different flavor. I was an On-2 dancer for years, having graduated from On-1 many years ago. I was hooked On-2, and knew no other way. When I met my partner, the great Cuban Pete, his comment was that I was a very good dancer but I was “off rhythm.” I was shocked. He taught me to pay attention to the clave and use it in my dancing without counting. In turn, it liberated me,and took me to a higher plateau.

Cuban Pete & Barbara Craddock

Dancing On-2 is a misnomer, and if one looks at the diagram above, you will see that the second beat of the clave, on the 3 side, is 2-1/2 not 2. Dancing On-2 originally meant stepping out on the second beat, on the 3 side, of the clave. Over time, the concept became bleached to make it easier for the masses to adapt, and the studios began to teach the two as the second beat in the measure not the second beat of the clave, thus westernizing or Americanizing the Latin timing. What happens is that the step-out is too quick, and the dancer is not able to use the ½ beat hesitation to “slide in”. That movement separates ordinary from extraordinary. 1-2-3-5-6-7, and/or 2-3-4-6-7-8, is not clave.

Rock musicians keep time or tap on the 1st and 3rd beats of the 4 beat bar, jazz musicians the 2nd and 4th beat, and Latin musicians the clave; hence, to dance Latin on rhythm, one must dance on the clave.

Many people ask how to achieve this goal. Listen to music in which the orchestra uses claves (sticks) predominately. Train your ear to hear it, and then try stepping on the clave beats. You will feel yourself blending into the music and you will begin to dance on another level. Enjoy it!

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be published, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the author,

© Barbara Craddock - bmc3336@aol.com.
October 25, 2007

Barbara Craddock

Choreographer, producer, and director, Barbara Craddock is an accomplished dancer, who has collaborated with renowned dancers internationally and nationally, in both nightclub and revues of varied dance styles. Schooled in ballroom dance, she specializes in Latin dance. Certified by the National Dance Teachers of America and the National Dance Council of America, Barbara also holds an international license from the International Dance Organization.

She served as one of the Latin dance instructors and consultants for Miami City Ballet’s innovative “clave-based” ballet, “Mambo 2 a.m.,” and co-choreographed “Latin Magic” for the University of the Arts School of Dance. She and her dance partner host capacity-filled “En Clave” workshops and lectures based on the history of Latin dance and music. She produces, choreographs, directs and performs in Latin dance revues for public and private events, and has adjudicated at many prestigious dance competitions. The recipient of numerous awards and citations, she has appeared on local, national and international television and radio programs, and is part of the International Latin Music Hall of Fame’s “Dance on Canvas” series.

Barbara continues to share her mastery and love of authentic Latin dance and music, especially Mambo, with eager pupils, while infusing her own sizzling passion and style on the dance floor.