Clapping

A clap is the percussive sound made by striking together two flat surfaces, as in the body parts of humans or animals. Humans clap with the palms of their hands, often quickly and repeatedly to express appreciation or approval (see applause), but also in rhythm as a form of body percussion to match the sounds in music, dance, chants, hand games, and clapping games.

Some people slap the back of one hand into the palm of the other hand to signify urgency or enthusiasm. This act may be considered uncouth by others.

Clapping is used in many forms of music. One example is in gospel music. In flamenco and sevillanas, two Spanish musical genres, clapping is called palmas and often sets the rhythm and is an integral part of the songs. A sampled or synthesized clap is also a staple of electronic and pop music.

Musical works that include clapping

Classical works performed entirely by clapping

• Steve Reich, Clapping Music (1972)
• Robert Paterson, Voices (1988)^[1]

Classical works which include clapping

• Carlos Surinach, Ritmo Jondo (1953)
• David Chesky, Flute Concerto et Violin Concerto

The clapping patterns known as keplok are important in Javanese gamelan. A type of synthesized clap is popular in many rap and hip hop songs as well. This is derived from and mimics the technique used in older popular music (e.g. disco and funk of the 1970s), in which multiple instances of real handclaps were recorded or a single recording was made of a group of performers clapping in unison. This was usually done for the purpose of reinforcing the snare drum beat on the 2nd and 4th beats of the bar (offbeat). Modern R&B, hip hop, and rap often omit the snare drum, making the claps a more obvious and central feature of the beat.

Acoustics and medical applications

Clapping is useful in (medical) opening up blocked blood circulation. Clapping can be used in acoustics to check the reverberation time of a room. This is determined by measuring the clap's decay time.

Pedagogical applications

Music students often clap the rhythm of written music to help learn the value of different notes and to get accustomed to the rhythm of new pieces. (see: counting (music))

Sports and other pursuits

Iceland at the UEFA European Championship during UEFA Euro 2016, Iceland's fans became widely known for their 'volcano clap' (or 'Viking clap') with a 'huh' chant, though it may actually have originated with fans of Scottish club Motherwell F.C..^[2]

Canberra Raiders fans became widely known for the 'Viking clap', a nod to the viking chant recently made famous by fans of the Iceland national football team.^[3][4][5][6]

The term "clap hands" or "clap hands Charlie" is also used in aviation to mean an aircraft collision or wing-to-wing contact, the phrase being derived from the refrain in the popular song "Clap Hands! Here Comes Charley!"^[7]

See also

Sources

External reference

• Brown, T. Pierce (2002). "Is Clapping Hands in Worship Appropriate?", GospelGazette.com.