How Clapping Became Music

The earliest members of the Homo genus were the first to create stone tools around 2.6 million years ago. Anthropological and archaeological research suggests that music first emerged during this period. The sounds created during activities like pounding seeds and roots into a meal likely provided an early source of rhythm for proto-humans. Beating rhythm for pleasure and as a spiritual experience was probably initially done with stones—and soon after through clapping.

The history of clapping remains largely obscure, however. Before hands were used as percussion instruments, clapping was probably used, among other things, for communication and protection, for example to signal the presence of a predator or even to scare it away through the noise of collective clapping. The earliest historical mention of clapping arises very late, during classical antiquity, and even then clapping does not refer to making music but to ritual applause.

Ironically, hand clapping became a widespread stylistic feature in modern music with the rise of the first drum machines, notably the Roland TR-808. Nonetheless, claps typically constitute one of several percussive elements within a song's structure. Modern music compositions where clapping takes a dominant role are relatively uncommon. Steve Reich's “Clapping Music” is a notable example, featuring clapping as the sole element in a minimalist piece, while Rosalía, inspired by classic flamenco, uses clapping sounds very prominently.

Now another piece joins this rather small group: Loren Kramar's “Euphemism”. Kramar's voice, reminiscent of Cat Stevens at his best, an analog piano and clapping make the art here—and our song of the day.

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• alternative
• indie
• 2020s