Rumba has historically been less well known than its Cuban counterpart, the son. Perhaps it is true that rumberos were too busy dancing to go out and tell the rest of the world about it. Be that as it may, the folkloric forms which are based on rumba clave find themselves increasingly incorporated into popular Cuban music; and that makes it important for the character of rumba clave to be understood.

Whereas "you can get away with" interpreting son clave to rumba-based rhythms, this is far from ideal and does not do rumba any homage. This tutorial will help you appreciate the nature of rumba clave, as a beginning to a Cuban world different from son.

The difference between both claves may be just one beat, but you will learn how much a difference one single beat can make.