time signature

[Oscar Ortega]

I am composing a theme that could be a Danzón.

What is the time signature used for danzón ?

2/4 ?

Thanks,

Oscar

[Bob]

In the Orquesta, we write it in 4/4, with the basic subdivision of the beat being eighth notes. In other words, clave is two measures in 4/4. All the charts and educational materials I've seen use this convention (e.g., the Latin Real Book, Rebeca Mauleon's books, etc.).

You could write it in 2/4 if you wanted. Some older Cuban music I've seen, like the Danzas Cubanas of Ignacio Cervantes, were written in 2/4, with sixteenth note subdivisions.

At a workshop I once saw Chucho Valdes write clave as one measure of 4/4, also using a sixteenth-note subdivision. Some Cubans may use this convention, but I've never seen it in any bands I've worked with.

I hope this helps.