Clapping
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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.
Clapping is used to turn appliances on and off with The Clapper.
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 occasionally used as a percussion element in music, particularly in Gospel music. One composition by Steve Reich, Clapping Music, is entirely performed by 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.
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[edit] World Record
The world record for the most claps in sixty seconds is 721, which is held by Kent "Toast" French of Aberdeen, SD.[citation needed]
[edit] 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. A book that is often used to demonstrate this is Rhythmic Training by Robert Starer.[citation needed]
[edit] Acoustics applications
Clapping can be used in acoustics to check the reverberation time of a room. The clap's decay time measures this.
[edit] Medical applications
Inhalation therapists frequently use clapping (light slaps with a cupped hand on a patient's back, chest, and under arms) to dislodge mucus from breathing passages in order to improve airflow.[citation needed]
Clapping involves stimulation, activation and excitation of corresponding areas in the sensory and motor homunculus present in cerebral cortex. The degree and the pattern of stimulation are not yet studied in detail. But it appears to be promising adjuvant therapy in cases of depression. Traditional (and sometimes devotional) music all over the world involves clapping.[citation needed]
