Afro-Cuban rhythms
Havana's African heritage
Afro-Cuban rhythms are percussion patterns originating in Cuba that blend African and Spanish musical traditions.
These rhythms—including son clave, rumba, and guaguancó—form the foundation of salsa, mambo, and much Latin jazz.
The characteristic syncopation and polyrhythmic layering distinguish them from straight European meters: The band locked into an Afro-Cuban groove.
- rumbaAfro-Cuban partner dance
- congaCuban hand drum
- sonMale child relation
- Buena VistaSpanish for good view
- polyrhythmsOverlapping distinct beat patterns
Latin jazz · Santería · bongo · syncretism · call-and-response · call and response · mambo · drum circle · syncopation · timbales · African diaspora · claves · salsa · maracas · tres · cha-cha-cha · cascara · oral traditions
- drumsbass drum, bongo, tambourine, snare, snare drum
musical tradition and cultural origin
Afro-Cuban rhythmsViennese waltz
Rapid rotating ballroom dance
four-on-the-floor · military march · Gregorian chant · plainchant