# the Clave

> Clave pattern metronome with selectable rhythms and adjustable tempo. (iPhone/iPad app by Drew Milloy.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-clave/id328220389 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Drew Milloy](https://appshunter.io/developer/328220392)
- Category: Music, Utilities
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 219 App Store ratings · 66 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 8.0 · 22 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2009-09-03
- Data updated: 2026-08-24
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-clave/id328220389/reviews.md

## What is the Clave?

the Clave is a clave pattern metronome/click track app with five selectable clave patterns: Son, Rumba, two different Afro (6/8) styles and Bossa Nova.
 
The current pattern is shown on-screen in traditional notation, with each beat highlighted as it is played. 

Patterns can be switched between 3:2 (forward) and 2:3 (reverse) clave.

Tempo is variable from 40 to 200 beats per minute (in cut time), and the timing is rock-solid: accurate to the nearest sample (22 microseconds). 

Drag the tempo button up or down to choose a tempo in BPM.

Tap the tempo button in time with the beat to set a tempo rhythmically.

Playback continues in the background, so you can lock your screen and keep on playing.

You can alter the sound, there are high and low pitches and a volume boost option.

It's a useful practice aid, whether you are beginning to play Latin American music, or an experienced sonero. It can also be used to help inject new vibrance into other styles of music - for example, try playing a jig with the Afro (6/8) clave playing!

## Key features

- Five selectable clave patterns
- Traditional notation display
- 3:2 and 2:3 clave switching
- Variable tempo (40-200 BPM)
- Background playback
- Customizable sound options

## What do users think of the Clave?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 👍 Great for practice
- 👍 Simple and straightforward
- 👍 Helps internalize clave
- 👍 Good for beginners
- 👍 Free app
- 👍 Accurate clave patterns
- 👍 Helpful for learning rhythms
- 👍 Minimalist design
- 👍 Shows notation
- 👍 No ads

**Cons**

- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🐛 App crashes
- 🐛 App disappears
- 🐛 Sound quality issues
- 🐛 Tempo slider difficult

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App disappears after a few months
- App crashes when opened
- App bombs out after clearing tempo adjustment screen
- Battery draining quickly
- App using high percentage of battery
- Developer website disappeared
- Adjusting volume causes app to shut down

**Most requested features**

- Customize claves with manual rhythms
- Option to change metronome by one bpm
- Type in tempo instead of slider
- Add 2:3 Son Clave
- Add 6/8 bell pattern
- Add Afrobeat clave
- Add 6/8 variations
- Add cascara
- Add downbeat tone
- Add shaker
- Add agogo bell
- Add Abakua
- Add cinquillo
- Add more 6/8 patterns
- Add tap tempo
- Allow finer gradations of tempo (half-BPMs)
- Set number of measures to play
- Other instrument samples (woodblock, cowbell)
- Sequence certain bars (e.g., 3:2/3:2/2:3/2:3)
- Accent the first beat
- Turn on a click track in the background
- More Clave patterns
- Rumba option for 6/8 clave
- Adjust volume without app closing
- Metronome that keeps quarters or 2 and 4

## Recent user reviews (10 of 66)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-clave/id328220389/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Satisfecho 100%

*2026-01-04, version 3.1*

La unica applicacion que tuvo la clave Afro cuba buen trabajo!

### 5/5 — Almost perfect

*2025-06-09, version 3.1*

This app works great. I sort of wish you could customize the claves by inputting whichever rhythms you want, manually. That and maybe an option to change the metronome by one bpm at a time rather than sliding or typing one in, but now I’m really nitpicking.

### 4/5 — App good… but

*2025-06-03*

Overall I really love the app and I have noticed my time improving so much as a horn player. That being said, I think there is some “quality of life” type of easy improvements that could be made. Most notably the way that you select tempos with only the slider is kind of annoying. If there was a way to just type the tempo that would make the app so much better for little effort. I use this app along with pro metronome and that app is much better quality of life, if only I could smoosh them into one app!

### 5/5 — Efficace

*2025-05-04, version 3.1*

Correspond à mes attentes,

### 4/5 — Comes and goes

*2025-01-01*

A fun app which disappears after a few months. Just reload and you’ll be fine.

### 4/5 — Favorite met app except…

*2024-09-13*

I’ve been using this religiously for the past few weeeks but suddenly it has stopped working and crashes every time I open it

### 5/5 — Fenomenal

*2024-06-12, version 3.1*

No había estudiado con la clave y me parece interesante tocar así ! Ahora tengo más claro cuando me hablan de acompañar bien

### 5/5 — This is great

*2024-02-20, version 3.1*

Easy to use and perfect for what I wanted, highly recommend.

### 5/5 — Were I i

*2023-08-22, version 3.1*

You das ezf8? You are in a very uiLolorh g u this u

### 5/5 — Perfect for what it does!

*2023-08-21*

Great for practicing Afro-Cuban percussion over the constant rhythm.

## Frequently asked questions about the Clave

### What does the Clave app do?

The Clave app functions as a metronome specifically designed to help users practice clave patterns. It offers five different clave patterns, displays them in traditional notation, and allows for precise tempo control. It's a valuable tool for musicians looking to improve their rhythmic accuracy, especially in Latin American music genres.

### What are the key features of the Clave app?

Key features include five selectable clave patterns (Son, Rumba, two Afro 6/8 styles, Bossa Nova), on-screen notation with beat highlighting, the ability to switch between 3:2 and 2:3 clave orientations, variable tempo from 40 to 200 BPM, and rock-solid timing accuracy. It also supports background playback and offers customizable sound pitches and volume.

### Is the Clave app free to use?

Yes, the Clave app is available for free. Based on the provided information, there are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned, indicating a completely free user experience.

### Who would benefit from using the Clave app?

This app is ideal for musicians of all levels, from beginners learning Latin American music to experienced players. It's also useful for those looking to incorporate new rhythmic ideas into other musical styles, such as folk or jazz, by using its diverse clave patterns.

### Can I use the Clave app while using other apps?

Yes, the app is designed to continue playback in the background. This means you can lock your screen or switch to other applications while the metronome continues to play, allowing for uninterrupted practice sessions.

## Version history (last 5 of 5)

### 3.1 — 2015-10-15

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

New: 
- Tap and hold the tempo for just over a second and you can type a tempo in. No more frustrating fine-scrolling to get exact tempos.
- Swipe left and right on the pattern notation to change patterns
- Updated 3rd Party Libraries for iOS 9 support

### 3.0 — 2015-07-31

It's been nearly 5 (!) years since the last update. 
Thanks to all my loyal users for being patient, especially when things stopped working on new iOS releases...
This version has been rebuilt completely - for any geeks out there, it's been rewritten in Swift!

Fresh new UI, iPad and iOS 8 support, and a good foundation for some new features (soon, I promise!)

### 2.1 — 2010-08-24

New in release 2.1:

* Support for background audio in iOS 4 (on compatible devices only)

* Fixed issue with volume control causing application to crash on iOS 4

### 2.0 — 2010-02-04

Enhanced feature set in the second version:
* Ability to choose between 3:2 and 2:3 forms of clave
* "Tap tempo" button, allowing you to tap beats (in 2/2) and the clave will calculate and follow your tempo
* Low/high pitch setting
* Volume boost switch - this functions as a hard-knee 4:1 compressor at -24dB

### 1.0 — 2009-09-03

No release notes.

## Apps similar to the Clave

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Congas - Percussion Drums Pad](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/congas-percussion-drums-pad/id1525530011) | 4.3 (37) | Free | Music |
| [Drummer ITP - Rudiment Trainer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drummer-itp-rudiment-trainer/id1491040724) | 4.7 (443) | $9.99 | Music |
| [Loopsic - Best Drum Loops](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/loopsic-best-drum-loops/id1645855247) | 4.7 (43) | Free | Music |
| [Tempo - Metronome with Setlist](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tempo-metronome-with-setlist/id304731501) | 4.8 (4,759) | $2.99 | Music |
| [Rhythm: metronome tempo tutor](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rhythm-metronome-tempo-tutor/id1545372234) | 4.7 (329) | Free | Music |
| [Rhythm Generator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rhythm-generator/id6741359170) | 4.8 (56) | Free | Music |

## More apps by Drew Milloy

- [AutoArp](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/autoarp/id413244255)
- [8Strummer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/8strummer/id441799069)
- [Oddleberry](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/oddleberry/id827686517)
- [Hyperchrome](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hyperchrome/id946764775)
- [Fall](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fall/id1046467659)

All apps by Drew Milloy: https://appshunter.io/developer/328220392

## Related topics

[clave](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/clave) · [salsa rhythm](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/salsa-rhythm) · [ronda sistemas](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ronda-sistemas) · [memorama clave de sol](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/memorama-clave-de-sol) · [gambananza](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/gambananza)

---

*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-24.*