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Clapping

language culture Maturity 5-7 Next article →

Clapping is a way to make sound with your body. You do this by striking two flat surfaces together. Humans usually use the palms of their hands. We often clap quickly to show we like something. This is called applause. People also clap to a rhythm in music or dance. Some people slap the back of one hand into the other. This can show they are very excited or in a hurry.

Clapping hand
Clapping hand

There are many ways to use clapping in music. In Spanish music styles like flamenco, it is called palmas. These handclaps help set the rhythm for the songs. In Javanese gamelan music, there are patterns called keplok. Some modern songs use a fake clap made by a computer. This is called a sampled or synthesized clap. In rap and hip-hop, these claps are very important. They help make the beat stand out clearly.

Clapping has a long history in many different places. In 1972, Steve Reich wrote a piece called Clapping Music. Robert Paterson wrote a work called Voices in 1988. Another composer named Pascal Zavaro made Kino-Klap in 2008. Carlos Surinach used clapping in Ritmo Jondo in 1953. In the 1970s, disco and funk music used real handclaps. People recorded many claps at once to make a loud sound. This helped reinforce the beat in the music.

People use clapping for many jobs outside of music. In schools, students clap to learn about words. They clap out syllables to hear how sounds work. This is called phonological awareness. Doctors can even use clapping in medical settings. It can help open up blood circulation. Scientists also use a single clap to study a room. They measure how long the sound lasts to check the acoustics.

ISL-HRV (16)
ISL-HRV (16)

Fans use clapping to show support for their favorite teams. During the UEFA Euro 2016, Iceland fans used the Viking clap. This includes a loud chant and a rhythmic clap. This style started with fans of Motherwell F.C. in Scotland. Later, fans of the Minnesota Vikings used it too. They say "skol" instead of the original chant. In the mid-2010s, some women used clapping to emphasize their speech. Now, people even use the hand clap emoji online.

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