Yes, babies can do it well. However, clapping is actually an activity with a much broader meaning. Is it appropriate to applaud after the allegro part at a concert of Mozart's music? How about clapping after the sermon at church? And what are the rules for clapping at poetry readings? Learn how to clap properly in this article.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Clapping Techniques
Step 1. Perform regular clapping
Open your hands and clasp the palms together, with the fingers pointing upwards. Do it hard enough so that you make a loud banging sound too, but don't overdo it so that your hands don't turn red.
Some people clap by slapping the fingers of one hand against the palm of the other. Do whatever is most convenient for you
Step 2. Perform a royal applause
You know the time when the Queen of England came out of her castle and greeted her loyal followers with a brief round of applause? This is what you will do. This kind of clapping can be done by slapping the first two fingers into the palm of your other hand. This kind of clapping will make a small sound and give the impression that you are more focused on the clapping activity rather than making a loud sound.
Step 3. Clap without your hands
Not all cultures or situations require hand-clapping. Learn these other types of clapping so you're ready to celebrate any situation.
- Stamping is a common way of celebrating at some camp or sporting events. This movement produces a louder sound that can be intimidating and sound exciting.
- The clapping of fists on the desk after a lecture session used to be common in some boarding-type schools, instead of clapping.
- Should you snap your fingers? The clichéd view that hipsters in berets would snap their fingers at poetry readings or in jazz cafes is one that is based on outdated 1940s stereotypes. If you snap your fingers at a poetry reading, chances are you'll be the only one doing that. Just like when you shout the slogan "Freebird" at a rock concert.
Step 4. Clap in silence
In situations where it is impossible for you to speak, or when most of the other people are hearing impaired or deaf, a common way to clap is to raise your hands in a palm-to-back position, and move your fingers.
This method is sometimes referred to as "sparkling," which is also used to approve or support a speaker at meetings or consensus events, Quaker meetings, or other occasions where conversation is not permitted
Step 5. Do a slow clap
The slow applause started and gradually increased to louder. To do this, start clapping no more than once every two seconds, and wait for the other person to start responding and clapping too. Then, gradually increase the speed of your clapping.
Slow clapping can represent a variety of things. Traditionally, slow applause was seen as satire rather than celebration, although now it is seen as a form of guidance or an ironic celebration of something dramatic/epic. For example, you could slowly clap your hands for your little brother, who finally decides to clean his room
Part 2 of 2: Clap at the Right Time
Step 1. Wait until you hear applause from others
Applause can be a great way to show your appreciation, but it can also be seen as rude if you do it at the wrong time. In certain situations, the right moment of applause is obvious. However, in some other situations, this can be ambiguous. Not sure when to clap your hands? The best way to avoid an embarrassing situation is to wait until you hear the other person clapping, then join them.
- Adjust the volume of your applause to the applause volume of those around you. Match your clapping style with someone else's style.
- Is it appropriate to applaud after someone performs solo at church? After you watch a good movie? After a solo performance at a music concert event? The answer will change in each situation. Follow what the people around you are doing.
Step 2. Applaud to celebrate the awesome performances
The most common purpose and moment for a round of applause is when something great and worthy of celebration has just happened in public. Speeches, athletics, and music concerts are common places for applause.
- Points at athletic competitions or good performances usually earn applause in many cultures. In some other cultures, overly dramatic expressions of emotion may be considered inappropriate, but if the other person is applauding, then you can too.
- Most people applaud after songs are sung at any pop concert mode, as well as when performers come to and from the stage.
- At public speaking events, it is a natural thing to clapping to greet a speaker who comes to the stage, and to congratulate them at the end of a speech or performance. Depending on the event, it's usually unnatural to clap in the middle of a performance, unless the performer directs you to do so. Sometimes, additional applause is also requested for someone present at an event. Just follow the instructions on the event.
Step 3. Stop clapping when the sound of the clapping around you starts to slow down
As soon as this sound starts to soften, you can stop clapping. Clapping is not something done to interrupt a performance, but an opportunity to celebrate. Stop following the crowd and don't act silly.
Step 4. Applaud at the end of a concert to request an encore
Clapping as part of the audience is common at some music events or concerts. If the artist's performance is very good, continue clapping and try to persuade him to come back on stage to perform one more song. At least you'll get some extra attention from him.
As long as you're smart enough, you can clap to the beat of the song. This is a common thing to do at many music concerts
Step 5. Thank you if you get applause
If for some reason you are the party on the stage and are having a celebration, clapping following the applause of the audience can also be a friendly and humble body language if done correctly. Bow your head as an expression of gratitude, then start clapping along with the others. If the applause is too long, give a stop sign and start saying thank you.
Make sure you always thank the audience for every applause you receive. You can also ask for applause for other people present with you. For example, if you're giving a speech and your thesis supervisor is in the audience, you can ask people to applaud
Step 6. Be careful when clapping at a classical music event
The rules regarding clapping at a classical music event will depend on the venue, the group of musicians playing, the conductor, and the music being played. Usually, clapping between songs is common practice, and, in some cases, clapping is also done between certain movements in long songs. On the other hand, sometimes clapping should only be done to greet the performer when he is about to go on stage, or after he ends his performance.
- Check the specific instructions for the music show you're attending for instructions on clapping, or wait for others to do so to make sure you know when to clap.
- In Mozart's time, concertgoers were usually louder. The more touching songs will cause them to applaud even if the musicians are still playing.
- Many people are influenced by Wagner's more modern view of clapping, which directs audiences to avoid clapping at the end of a Parsifal event, and makes them think that clapping is absolutely not allowed at classical music concerts.
Step 7. Clap your hands after the music ends in some churches
Traditionally, coral music should not be applauded, and should be appreciated in contemplative silence and serenity. On the other hand, in some modern worship churches, clapping after the performance is very common. In Pentecostal churches, clapping is part of worship. All churches will be different and have their own rules about clapping, so observe and follow what others are doing. Don't be the first to clap at a church, but join in if you start to hear other people clapping.
Tips
There are many ways to clap, depending on the occasion. Clapping makes people feel happy and is an enthusiastic act that comes naturally when we are excited or happy about an action we do ourselves, or someone else does
Warning
- Don't clap in inappropriate situations, when a clap would be seen as annoying or annoying.
- When you are part of the audience and everyone else is clapping, stop at the appointed time and don't continue clapping after everyone else has stopped.
