Clapping
Encyclopedia
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
. Seal
s 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
.
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.
to check the reverberation time of a room. The clap's decay time
measures this.
Applause
Applause is primarily the expression of approval by the act of clapping, or striking the palms of the hands together, in order to create noise. Audiences are usually expected to applaud after a performance, such as a musical concert, speech, or play...
), but also in rhythm
Rhythm
Rhythm may be generally defined as a "movement marked by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions." This general meaning of regular recurrence or pattern in time may be applied to a wide variety of cyclical natural phenomena having a periodicity or...
to match sounds in music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
and dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
. Seal
Pinniped
Pinnipeds or fin-footed mammals are a widely distributed and diverse group of semiaquatic marine mammals comprising the families Odobenidae , Otariidae , and Phocidae .-Overview: Pinnipeds are typically sleek-bodied and barrel-shaped...
s 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
Percussion instrument
A percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
element in many forms of music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
, for example in Gospel music
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
. In flamenco
Flamenco
Flamenco is a genre of music and dance which has its foundation in Andalusian music and dance and in whose evolution Andalusian Gypsies played an important part....
and sevillanas
Sevillanas
Sevillanas are a type of folk music, sung and written in Seville in Spain. Historically, they are a derivative of Castilian folk music . They have a relatively limited musical pattern, but rich lyrics, based on country side life, virgins, towns, neighborhoods, pilgrimage, and love themes...
, two Spanish musical genres, clapping often sets the rhythm and is an integral part of the songs. A sampled
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
or synthesized clap is also a staple of electronic
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
and pop music
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
.
Musical works that include clapping
Classical works performed entirely by clapping- Robert Paterson (composer)Robert Paterson (composer)Robert Paterson is an American composer, percussionist and conductor.-Biography:Paterson studied composition with Christopher Rouse, Samuel Adler, Joseph Schwantner, Warren Benson and David Liptak at the Eastman School of Music, graduating in 1995. At Eastman, he was a double major and studied...
, Voices for 12 Clappers http://www.robpaterson.com/works-notes/voices.htm - Steve ReichSteve ReichStephen Michael "Steve" Reich is an American composer who together with La Monte Young, Terry Riley, and Philip Glass is a pioneering composer of minimal music...
, Clapping MusicClapping MusicClapping Music is a minimalist piece written by Steve Reich in 1972. It is written for two performers and is performed entirely by clapping....
Classical works which include clapping
- David Chesky Robert Paterson (composer)Robert Paterson (composer)Robert Paterson is an American composer, percussionist and conductor.-Biography:Paterson studied composition with Christopher Rouse, Samuel Adler, Joseph Schwantner, Warren Benson and David Liptak at the Eastman School of Music, graduating in 1995. At Eastman, he was a double major and studied...
, Flute ConcertoFlute concertoA flute concerto is a concerto for solo flute and instrumental ensemble, customarily the orchestra. Such works have been written from the Baroque period, when the solo concerto form was first developed, up through the present day... - David Chesky http://www.davidchesky.com/, Violin ConcertoViolin concertoA violin concerto is a concerto for solo violin and instrumental ensemble, customarily orchestra. Such works have been written since the Baroque period, when the solo concerto form was first developed, up through the present day...
The clapping patterns known as keplok
Keplok
Keplok is a style of clapping used in Javanese gamelan. The clapping is in a specific interlocking rhythmic pattern and is performed by the gerong when they are not singing. It is usually associated with the lively ciblon or batangan drumming...
are important in Javanese gamelan
Gamelan
A gamelan is a musical ensemble from Indonesia, typically from the islands of Bali or Java, featuring a variety of instruments such as metallophones, xylophones, drums and gongs; bamboo flutes, bowed and plucked strings. Vocalists may also be included....
. A type of synthesized clap is popular in many rap and hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
songs as well. This is derived from and mimics the technique used in older popular music, eg disco
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
and funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
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 acousticsAcoustics
Acoustics is the interdisciplinary science that deals with the study of all mechanical waves in gases, liquids, and solids including vibration, sound, ultrasound and infrasound. A scientist who works in the field of acoustics is an acoustician while someone working in the field of acoustics...
to check the reverberation time of a room. The clap's decay time
Diffusion (acoustics)
Diffusion, in acoustics and architectural engineering, is the efficacy by which sound energy is spread evenly in a given environment. A perfectly diffusive sound space is one that has certain key acoustic properties which are the same anywhere in the space. A non-diffuse sound space would have...
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.See also
- ApplauseApplauseApplause is primarily the expression of approval by the act of clapping, or striking the palms of the hands together, in order to create noise. Audiences are usually expected to applaud after a performance, such as a musical concert, speech, or play...
- Concert etiquetteConcert etiquetteConcert etiquette refers to a set of social norms of people who attend musical performances. These norms vary depending on the type of music performance and can be stringent or informal.-Western Classical music:...
- Golf clap
- TejimeTejime, also called , is a Japanese custom of ceremonial rhythmic hand clapping, performed at the end of a special event—such as a celebration or a meeting of shareholders—to bring the occasion to a peaceful, lively close....
- Chest physiotherapyChest physiotherapyChest physiotherapy is a broad, non-specific term used to describe treatments generally performed by physiotherapists and respiratory therapists whereby breathing is improved by the indirect removal of mucus from the breathing passages of a patient...
- Clapping gameClapping gameA clapping game is a type of usually cooperative game which is generally played by two players and involves clapping as accompaniment to a singing game or reciting of a rhyme...
- The ClapperThe ClapperThe Clapper is a sound activated electrical switch, sold by San Francisco, California based Joseph Enterprises, Inc and marketed with the slogan "Clap On!" and as a separate phrase "Clap Off!"...
- List of hand clappers
External reference
- T. Pierce Brown, Is Clapping Hands in Worship Appropriate? (http://www.gospelgazette.com/gazette/2002/sep/page17.htm)