Clave is also the word for the rhythmic pattern made by the clave player. The clave pattern is at the heart of the music. The traditional clave pattern, as used by the Buena Vista Social Club, for example, is called son. The more syncopated rumba clave goes with the more modern timba. This can make timba difficult to dance to.
Dancers trip up and fall down.
Fans on the other hand claim that the rumba clave makes it difficult not to dance to timba. La Banda are three well-known timba bands. They are popular on the island but there has been almost no promotion of timba outside Cuba. It does, however, have a foothold in Europe. Calixto Oviedo, the former drummer with NG La Banda, lives in Stockholm.