Lesson 1: Learning “El Manisero”
Aim: What is the clave rhythm and where can we find it in “El Manisero?”
Summary: Students learn to clap a basic clave pattern and sing the chorus of “El Manisero.”
Materials: Music Explorers online audio
Standards: GA: ESGMK-2.CR.1, ESGMK-2.CR.2, ESGMK-2.CR.3, ESGMK-2.PR.1, ESGMK-2.RE.1, ESGMK-2.RE.3, ESGMK-2.CN.2
SC: GM.CR.NL-AH.1, GM.CR.NL-AH.2, GM.PR.NL-AH.3, GM.RE.NL-AH.6, GM.CN.NL-AH.8
Vocabulary: clave rhythm, claves, coro, salsa
See Glossary →
Sing “El Manisero”
- Listen to “El Manisero,” Track 10.
- “El Manisero” is Spanish for “the peanut vendor”—“maní” means “peanuts.”
- “El Manisero” is a famous song from Cuba. It is based on the cry of a street vendor selling peanuts (“Maní, maní, maní”)
Track 10 – El Manisero
- Learn and sing the first coro (Spanish for “chorus”), Track 11 and Track 12, and clap on the first and third beats.
- “Que rico es el maní?” means “How delicious are peanuts?” in English.

Track 11 – El Manisero (Coro 1 Pronunciation)
Track 12 – El Manisero (Coro 1)
- “Ya se va manisero, ya se va!” means “There goes the peanut vendor, there he goes!” in English.

Track 13 – El Manisero (Coro 2 Pronunciation)
Track 14 – El Manisero (Coro 2)
- Listen to “El Manisero” again, Track 10, and sing along to each coro. Maintain the steady beat by either patting or walking on the first and third beats.
Track 10 – El Manisero
Explore the Clave Rhythm
- Listen to Gino play the claves and say “bistec chuleta” in clave, and repeat along with Gino on Track 15.
- “Bistec chuleta” is Spanish for “steak” and “pork chops”—two of Gino’s favorite foods! They also use these words to remember how to clap the clave pattern.
- What words or combination of words can you think of that also sound like the clave pattern? (e.g., “Hello! How are you?” or “Let’s go to the park!”)
Track 15 – Bistec Chuleta Clave Rhythm
- Use SG23 to write a phrase using the clave rhythm. Perform the new phrases you create with Track 16.
Track 16 – Clave Rhythm
- Listen to “El Manisero” again, Track 10, and clap along to the clave pattern.
Track 10 – El Manisero
- Divide students into two groups and ask one group to tap the steady beat while the other group claps the clave rhythm.

“Clave” (pronounced KLAH-vey) means “key” or “keystone” and is an Afro-Cuban rhythmic pattern that holds all salsa music together. This pattern is played on a percussion instrument called the claves (pronounced KLAH-veys) and contains five beats, or strokes. “El Manisero” and “Vamanos pa’l Monte” are both performed using the 2/3 son clave pattern. This can be remembered by repeated the 2/3 syllable phrase “Bis-tec, Chu-le ta.”

Creative Extension: Learn the Basic Sidestep in 2/3 Clave
- Starting on your right foot, step to your right.
- Bring your left foot together with your right foot.
- Step out again with your right foot.
- Touch your left heel in front of you.
- Repeat this pattern on the left side, and add circular arm motions with the music.
- Watch the video below for a sidestep video tutorial by salsa musician Bobby Sanabria:
Musical Word Wall
Add the words clave rhythm, claves, coro, and salsa to the Musical Word Wall.
See Glossary →
PDF Downloads
SG23 – Learn the Clave Pattern ↓ Download File
Audio Tracks
Track 10 – El Manisero
Track 11 – El Manisero (Coro 1 Pronunciation)
Track 12 – El Manisero (Coro 1)
Track 13 – El Manisero (Coro 2 Pronunciation)
Track 14 – El Manisero (Coro 2)
Track 15 – Bistec Chuleta Clave Rhythm
Track 16 – Clave Rhythm