How to Play Tumbao in Clave

A Conga QuickTip Lesson with Paulo Stagnaro

If your Tumbao feels inconsistent, doesn’t feel locked with the clave, or you’re never quite sure which side of the clave you’re on— in this QuickTip, Paulo shows two simple ways to play your tumbao in relation to the clave so your groove feels cleaner, more confident, and rhythmically grounded.

Understanding this relationship unlocks:

  • More deliberate groove placement

  • Stronger phrasing

  • Clearer two-bar patterns

  • Better timing

  • And a deeper musical feel—regardless of genre

🎥 Watch the Lesson

Conga QuickTip: How to Play Tumbao in Clave

 
 

What You’ll Learn

  • The difference between Son Clave and Rumba Clave

  • How 2-3 and 3-2 clave direction works

  • The one-bar Tumbao over 2-3 Son Clave

  • A two-bar variation using an open tone on beat 4

  • How that tone lines up with the last beat of the three side

  • A modern variation with ghost tone on 4 + open tone on “and of 4”

  • How that two-bar feel works in son derived genres such as modern salsa

Clave in Two Minutes

1. Son vs. Rumba Clave
Both are two-bar patterns with a three side and a two side.
The only difference:

  • Son: last note on beat 4

  • Rumba: last note on “and” of 4

2. Clave Direction
Clave flows as 2-3 or 3-2 and stays consistent through even-numbered phrases unless the arrangement says otherwise.

Two Simple Ways to Outline Clave in Your Tumbao

1. Classic Two-Bar Variation
Play your usual Tumbao in bar one.
In bar two, play only a single open tone on beat 4 (tip or rest on “and of 4”).
This locks in with the the three side of 2-3 Son Clave and instantly gives your groove direction.

2. Modern Salsa/Timba Variation

Bar 1 (two side): ghost tone on beat 4, open tone on “and of 4”
Bar 2 (three side): open tone on beat 4 only.

A staple of modern tumbao playing—great for medium and faster tempos.

How to Practice

Clap the clave with each example, start slowly, get comfortable with the sticking, and focus on the feel and placement of the open tones before working with loops or recordings.

Go Deeper with CongaChops

Learn Tumbao, clave, timing, and groove from the ground up with step-by-step courses, practice loops, playlists, and members-only support.

🎟️ Start your 7-Day Free Trial:
👉 https://www.CongaChops.com/

QUICK-TIP CONGA LESSON 2 ▸