congaplace.com

Hi,
For everyone who is on Facebook, I invite you to check out my new Unlocking Clave page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Unlocking-Clave/164335963612731?v=wall

There are some cool video clips on there. I'll continue to post clave-related articles, video clips and photos. I invite your input. Thanks.
-David

Wow... thanx David.

My pleasure. So glad you liked it.

David,

Awesome photo albums. I spent about 30 minutes clicking through them last night. Great video links as well. I'd love to get my hands on some of those albums you have. Incredible stuff man.

Garvin,
Thanks for taking the time to check that stuff out. If you click "like" on the Unlocking Clave page, I think the new postings will show up on your FB newsfeed.
-David

Awesome David. Thanks

I like this...

Thought I'd share today's postings on my Facebook Unlocking Clave page.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Unlocking ... 731?v=wall

RELECTIVE SYMMETRY:
the regularity of a pattern or shape in which one half of the figure is a mirror image of the other half.

If you look at the left side of the picture, you will see a snow covered mountain (above), reflected in a lake (below). The right side of the picture reflects the opposite image of the left side: the reflection is above and the actual mountain is below. This image of reflective opposites illustrates the binary structure of clave, and its variants, such as the standard bell pattern.

TWO DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED BEAT CYCLES
The Clave Matrix p. 65 © Bembe 2010

When we remove the fourth stroke of the standard bell pattern, we are left with the generative, or theoretic form of the part.

RELECTIVE SYMMETRY
The Clave Matrix p. 66 © Bembe 2010

When the generative form of the bell pattern is viewed in a circular configuration, a reflective symmetry is revealed; the opposing cells appear to be arranged along a mirror line, with the right side (antecedent) reflected by the left side (consequent).

I really enjoy your fb updates David, although I can't keep up, I know where to look when I can... Again Thanx!
One of the things that always amazes me about both mathematics and music, is the natural patterns found studying them.

Cool work David! Takin it to the masses!
I've never given Clave that much in depth thought to be honest, never counted etc, for me Clave is implied & felt, but then again my schooling has been from within the custom.
I really admire your work. Well done.

Thanks Abakua.

Because of their amazing popular music, we have the Cubans to thank for the integration of African rhythmic principles with Western music theory. However, Cuban folklorists for the most part, continue to pass the music along as it has always been taught—by rote; it is an aural tradition. This irony is even more profound when we observe how Africans relate to these rhythms. Most of the pertinent African ethnic groups do not have a word for rhythm, or even music—it is considered an embodiment of the people.
-David