Clapping

Clapping is a percussive action that creates sound through impact. It occurs when two flat surfaces strike one another. In humans, this usually involves the palms of the hands. People use clapping to express many different things. They might use applause to show appreciation or approval. Others use it as a form of body percussion. This helps them match the rhythm of music, dance, or chants.

There are different mechanical ways to perform a clap. Most people use their palms to strike together quickly. Some people use a different technique to show urgency or enthusiasm. They slap the back of one hand into the palm of the other. While this shows high energy, some people consider this specific act to be uncouth. This variation changes the tone and the sound of the percussion.

Clapping is a vital tool in many musical genres. In Spanish music, such as flamenco, clapping is known as palmas. These palmas are an integral part of the songs. They often serve to set the rhythm for the performers. In Javanese gamelan music, specific clapping patterns are called keplok. These patterns are important to the traditional sound of the music.

Modern music also relies heavily on the sound of the clap. In the 1970s, disco and funk music used real handclaps. Engineers would record multiple claps or a group clapping in unison. This was done to reinforce the snare drum beat. It usually happened on the second and fourth beats of a bar. Today, electronic and pop music often use a sampled or synthesized clap. This is a sound made by a computer. In rap and hip-hop, these synthesized claps are central to the beat. They often replace the snare drum entirely.

Classical music has also explored the use of clapping. In 1953, Carlos Surinach used clapping in Ritmo Jondo. Later, in 1972, Steve Reich composed Clapping Music. Robert Paterson wrote a work titled Voices in 1988. In 2008, Pascal Zavaro created Kino-Klap. These works show how clapping can be a formal musical element. It moves beyond simple applause into a complex compositional tool.

Clapping serves important roles in science and education. In a medical setting, clapping can be used to help open blocked blood circulation. In the field of acoustics, it is used to test a room. Scientists measure the decay time of a single clap. This helps them determine the reverberation time of the space. In schools, clapping helps with pedagogical goals. Students clap out syllables to build phonological awareness. This helps them understand how words are constructed from sounds.

Sports fans also use rhythmic clapping to build energy. The "Viking clap," or "volcano clap," became famous during UEFA Euro 2016. Iceland fans used this method along with a "huh" chant. This tradition actually originated with fans of Motherwell F.C. in Scotland. Later, fans of the Minnesota Vikings adopted it. They use the chant "skol" instead of "huh" to support their team.

Finally, clapping has become a way to emphasize speech. In the mid-2010s, a practice emerged among African American women. They used clapping to emphasize specific talking points. This often involved clapping out individual syllables in words. This practice was noted in popular media by comedian Robin Thede. Today, this style is used in person and online. People even use the hand clap emoji to represent this digital emphasis.