Claves The clave (pronounced “clah-vay”) is a percussion instrument belonging to idiophone group. An idiophone is any musical instrument which creates sound primarily through the instrument's vibration, without the use of strings or membranes. Traditionally made of wood (typically rosewood, ebony or granadilla), simple claves consist of a pair of short dowels. When struck together, claves resonate with a sharp clicking noise. Claves are sometimes hollow and carved in the middle to amplify the sound. Carved clave with striker – The carved clave shown is 25 cm (10”) long and 3.3 cm (1¼”) in diameter. The striker clave is 25 cm (10”) long and 2.5 cm (1”) in diameter. This clave comes in solid rosewood or of composite wood as referenced above.