it is a collection of rhythmic-harmonic piano ostinato exercises on the II-V-I progression
rhythmically, it divides the exercises into the two types of clave rhythm: 3-2 and 2-3
i have always heard about clave, but I haven't yet managed to understand what it is used for and, above all, why there is such a clear distinction between 3-2 and 2-3. could someone enlighten me, please?
Rebeca Mauleon's book Salsa handbook etc. discusses it; if I remember correctly, it is also discussed in Levine's Piano book.
There are many types of clave, brazilian clave, rhumba clave.... Basically, they represent the rhythmic structure upon which a piece is built, and the difference between 3-2 and 2-3—if you have Campos's book, it should be understood within the types of montuno that are provided. When the clave is 3-2, the montuno starts one way; when it is 2-3, it starts another, and they must not be overlapped incorrectly. Even at the beginning, the rhythmic exercises should explain this.
Afterward, I don't remember who, but it could even be someone famous like Giovanni Hidalgo or someone of his caliber, there is also someone among Latin American musicians who maintains that the clave does not exist and is just a huge mental delusion.
I remember that according to Wynton Marsalis, the New Orleans clave is nothing more than a dotted quarter note, dotted quarter note, quarter note—that is, the first part of the 3-2.
Anyway, you can find plenty of material online if you look.
