Editing Clapping (section)

{{Short description|Sound made by striking together two flat body parts}}
{{Redirect|Handclap|the song by Fitz and the Tantrums|HandClap|the Hurricane Chris song|The Hand Clap}}
{{more footnotes|date=May 2011}}
[[File:Clapping hand.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Clapping hand]]
A '''clap''' is the [[percussive]] 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 quickly and repeatedly to express appreciation or approval (see [[applause]]), but also in [[rhythm]] as a form of [[body percussion]] to match the sounds in [[music]], [[dance]], [[chant]]s, [[hand game]]s, and [[clapping game]]s.

Some people slap the back of one hand into the palm of the other hand to signify urgency or [[enthusiasm]]. This act may be considered uncouth by others.

Clapping is used in many forms of music. In American music, clapping is popular in [[funk]], [[gospel music|gospel]], [[doo-wop]] and early [[Pop music|pop]]. In [[flamenco]] and {{Lang|es|[[sevillanas]]}}, two Spanish musical genres, clapping is called ''[[Palmas (music)|palmas]]'' and often sets the rhythm and is an integral part of the songs. A [[sampling (music)|sampled]] or synthesized clap is also a staple of [[electronic music|electronic]] and pop music.