Claves

Claves (Spanish pronunciation: ['klaβes], Anglicized pronunciation: CLA(H)-vays) are a percussion instrument (idiophone), consisting of a pair of short (about 20–30 cm (7.9–11.8 in), thick dowels. Traditionally they are made of wood, typically rosewood, ebony or grenadilla. In modern times they are also made of fibreglass or plastics.

When struck they produce a bright clicking noise. Claves are sometimes hollow and carved in the middle to amplify the sound.

Claves are very important in Cuban music, such as the son and guaguancó. They are often used to play a repeating rhythmic figure throughout a piece, known as clave, a key pattern (or guide-pattern, timeline patter, phrasing referent, bell pattern) that is also found in African music and Brazilian music. Among the better known rock recordings featuring claves are the Beatles' recording "And I Love Her," and "Magic Bus" by the Who.

Steve Reich's Music for Pieces of Wood is written for five pairs of claves.

The Cuban Overture of George Gershwin includes claves.

Claves Records

Claves Records is a Swiss classical record label, which was founded in 1968 by Marguerite Dütschler-Hüber (1931-2006) in Thun.

Marguerite Dütschler-Hüber founded Claves with business partner Ursula Pfaehler when her piano teacher Jörg Ewald Dähler was unable to find a company willing to record and issue an LP of Bach preludes. The label specialised in Swiss music and Swiss artists such as Swiss flutist Peter-Lukas Graf, and Lieder recitals by performers including Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Teresa Berganza and Ernst Haefliger. Claves also launched the recording career of María Bayo.

Claves Records SA was formally founded in 2000. In 2004, the label was acquired by a foundation and then by Olivier Verrey who runs the company with other board members. Its first managing director was Antonin Scherrer who was succeed by Thierry Scherz, In 2010 Patrick Peikert succeeded Scherz as managing director.

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