Clapping

Clapping
Steve Reich and another man performing Clapping Music.

A clap is the 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 in a constant drone to express appreciation or approval (see applause), but also in rhythm to match sounds in music and dance. Seals are among the animals that clap.

Some people slap the back of one hand into the palm of the other hand to signify urgency or enthusiasm; others consider it uncouth.

Perhaps the best-known koan involves (at least superficially) consideration of the act of clapping: "What is the sound of one hand clapping?"

Clapping is used as a percussion element in many forms of music, for example in Gospel music. In flamenco and sevillanas, two Spanish musical genres, clapping 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.

Contents

Musical works that include clapping

Classical works performed entirely by clapping

Classical works which include clapping

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, eg 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), usually for the purpose of reinforcing the snare drum beat on the 2nd and 4th beats of the bar. Modern r&b, hip hop and rap often omits the snare drum, making the claps a more obvious and central feature of the beat.

Acoustics applications

Clapping can be used in acoustics to check the reverberation time of a room. The clap's decay time measures this.

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.[citation needed]

See also

External reference

  • T. Pierce Brown, Is Clapping Hands in Worship Appropriate? ([3])

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Clapping — Clap Clap (kl[a^]p), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Clapped} (kl[a^]pt); p. pr. & vb. n. {Clapping}.] [AS. clappan; akin to Icel. & Sw. klappa, D, klappen, to clap, prate, G. klaffen, v. i., to split open, yelp, klopfen, v. t. & i., to knock.] 1. To… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • clapping — noun a demonstration of approval by clapping the hands together (Freq. 2) • Syn: ↑applause, ↑hand clapping • Derivationally related forms: ↑clap • Hypernyms: ↑approval, ↑commendation …   Useful english dictionary

  • Clapping — Le clapping (claquade) est une technique de kinésithérapie respiratoire visant à mobiliser les sécrétions bronchiques par des percussions du tronc avec la paume des mains. Cette technique n est plus utilisée maintenant. Des techniques de drainage …   Wikipédia en Français

  • clapping — Synonyms and related words: acclaim, acclamation, applause, big hand, burst of applause, cheer, clap, clapping of hands, eclat, encore, hand, handclap, handclapping, ovation, plaudit, popularity, round of applause, thunder of applause …   Moby Thesaurus

  • Clapping Music — Steve Reich (à droite) interprétant Clapping Music avec un autre musicien Genre musique contemporaine …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Clapping game — A clapping game (or hand game) is a type of usually cooperative (i.e., non competitive) game which is generally played by two players and involves clapping as accompaniment to a singing game or reciting of a rhyme. Clapping games are found… …   Wikipedia

  • Clapping Music — Basic Clapping Music rhythm. (  Play ( …   Wikipedia

  • clapping games —    Most are played by two girls standing face to face and clapping their own and each others hands in a set pattern and in time with a chanted or sung text. To the uninitiated, the process seems dextrous and complex, but the movements are… …   A Dictionary of English folklore

  • clapping — adj. applauding n. accolade klæp n. sudden loud noise, bang; applause; act of applauding; gonorrhea (Slang) v. clap hands, applaud; make a loud noise; send quickly, do quickly …   English contemporary dictionary

  • clapping — See: clap …   English dictionary

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