Clapper (musical instrument)

A clapper is a basic form of percussion instrument. It consists of two long solid pieces that are clapped together producing sound. A straightforward instrument to produce and play, they exist in many forms in many different cultures around the world. Clappers can take a number of forms and be made of a wide variety of material. Wood is most common, but metal and ivory have also been used. The plastic thundersticks that have recently come to be popular at sporting events can be considered a form of inflated plastic clapper. Several specific forms of clapper have their own names, such as the Chinese guban or the Korean bak. In the classical music of Thailand, two clappers are used: the krab sepha and krab phuong. In the classical music of Thailand, a similar instrument is called krap.

In the Western symphony orchestra, a clapper called the whip (also called slapstick) is occasionally used in the percussion section.

References

• "Clapper." Encyclopedia Britannica