CLAVE: What Your Salsa Teacher Didn't Tell You 

Hey brother, I can't afford to support you financially, but I just wanna say that you seem like a very genuine, honest person. It's good to listen to somebody like you. I appreciate your videos and what you have to say about salsa, keep it up!

Great video! When I learned about clave and its role in salsa music I became obsessed with searching for it in many songs. I think to your point that the clave rhythm can be injected into any salsa song is a great alternative way of looking at where that rhythm should be. I have listened to many salsa songs while trying to add a clave rhythm by clapping etc. over the song, which is a good exercise. In general though I think many schools talk about the clave to teach the musicality of salsa - but at the heart of it all students really just want to learn when they should be breaking and the timing of their steps. I find it odd that teachers simply don't teach students to look for the repeating pattern within the rhythm of salsa. If you can "feel" or hear those 4 beats that repeat over and over you just time your steps in that repeating pattern of beats. This holds true to other forms of music, whether it's bachata, merengue, etc. - I think sometimes whether it's for monetary reasons etc. the lessons are overcomplicated making the learning process much more confusing.

I just found your channel and I love how passionate you are about musicality and rhythm. I talk about this ALL THE TIME when it comes to salsa dancers who look like robots.

Wow Messina this was another great explanation and I think sub consciously we probably already realised this. Focusing on trying to HEAR the Clave actually defeats its purpose, because you stop LISTENING to the whole orchestra of sounds that actually allows you to FEEL the Clave.

You're so funny! I'm enjoying your online casino class. Thank you for sharing your passion.

Son cubano (as most of the common rhythms), is played in 4/4 time signature, and all instruments being played based on that, create a harmony. So, of course you will hear all other instruments to be "aligned with the clave". I love the point you made when you said "if you didn't grow up listening to music, don't expect to feel it immediately" some wise words right there 👍

Hi Steve, very nice, I feel as a professional dancer, performer, and musician, is that students, listen to different Songs, and sing, the clave beat, out loud, in each Song, it is a listening exercise. as you mentioned in your video, and practice, then when you need to move your feet, you will know exactly the rhythm....and footage will follow automatically. I hope we can work together, one day, I have enjoyed your Videos! Many Congrats! Thank you, joy boleda music, Miami Calle Ocho!!!

Pa'los Rumberos (the remake) the horns definitely hit the Guaguancó clave. I do consider horn hits and stuff like that as clave. Nice jazz guitar and Black tears, btw

Great explanation of ‘implied clave’. Really enjoy your explanations on topics I think I am familiar with. Always something to learn…

The constant undercurrent of the very dry and delightful humor that you serve faithfully in each and every video keeps me coming back to your channel for more. And, I am learning to dance. Thank you with all my heart💖

Im so happy to have stumbled across your channel....not signed up yet but loving you variety of lessons...and also THE HAIR. How come uou have such perfect curls and NO frizz.

Great stuff! Will share your channel with my salsa friends

The problem with the dance schools is that, the most of them use to learn tons of paso, copas, without meaning. Noone of the teachers in the schools, try to explain you about the rhythm, musicality from the scratch and how to look great on the dance floor. But, I am very glad at finally find someone who can solve this. Thnxx so much for your videos 😀😀

Thanks very much. I already was ready to hear some example...

lol i love this channel, and the knowledge AND your hair 😘

Hey, good to see you again Steve Hope all's well Much love from UAE 🤗

This is the most passive aggressive and almost condescending lesson on clave I’ve ever seen. Still accurate tho lol

Thanks for the vid, good stuff ✨

Great video, thanks.... But it needs more cowbell...

Steeeeveeee!!! You’re the best!!! ❤️😂

❤

𝕻𝖑𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖊 𝖈𝖆𝖑𝖑 𝖒𝖊

Obvious but often overlooked...

10 min for what ?

Wasted time....