Clapstick Explained

Clapsticks, also spelt clap sticks and also known as aus|bilma, aus|bimli, clappers, musicstick or just stick, are a traditional Australian Aboriginal instrument. They serve to maintain rhythm in voice chants, often as part of an Aboriginal ceremony.[1]

They are a type of drumstick, percussion mallet or claves that belongs to the idiophone category.Unlike drumsticks, which are generally used to strike a drum, clapsticks are intended for striking one stick on another.

Origin and nomenclature

In northern Australia, clapsticks would traditionally accompany the didgeridoo, and are called Australian languages: bimli or Australian languages: bilma by the Yolngu people of north-east Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia.

Boomerang clapsticks

Boomerang clapsticks are similar to regular clapsticks but they can be shaken for a rattling sound or be clapped together.

Technique

The usual technique employed when using clapsticks is to clap the sticks together to create a rhythm that goes along with the song.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rare Music Collection, University of Melbourne Library . Bilma (clapsticks), from the Northern Territory . The University of Melbourne . The University of Melbourne . 9 April 2024.