why do white people clap on the 1 & 3 ???

[sb69coupe]

Why is it that so many white folks clap on the "off" beats?

I was just watching John Mellencamp on the early show this morning. I can't tell you how many white folks I saw in the audience clapping along on the first and third beats of each measure. I mean, seriously, Mellencamp's tunes have a strong backbeat that can't be missed. Why do folks lock on to the 1 and 3?

[thesandman]

DNA

[NJL]

believe me, i have seen plenty of non-whites clapping on 1 and 3 as well as the up of 1 and the 4th sixteenth of of 3

LOL

there are plenty that don't have groove.

[bassteban]

While on a church mission in Mexico I noticed that people clapped on the 1, 2, 3 & 4. I think that really helped a lot of us 'white folk'.

Edit: On topic, I think it's more 'old folk' than 'white folk'. I'm both, btw, so I'm allowed to comment.

[MonetBass]

Believe me, it ain't just white folks. Lack of rhythm does not discriminate!

[jumbosilverette]

White folks think everything's a waltz.

[bassteban]

Originally Posted by jumbosilverette

White folks think everything's a waltz.

So it's not..?
Dang it...

[JmJ]

Originally Posted by jumbosilverette

White folks think everything's a waltz.

LOL, that explains a lot.

[dj150888]

Not that this particularly offends me, but I think if the conversation was focussed the other way round (why do black people....), it'd be taken a LOT more seriously and would probably cause a lot of trouble.

It makes no difference whether someones black, white, yellow, orange, pink with yellow spots or whatever, some people got it, some don't!

[steve66]

because 2 and 4 is so cliche'.

Actually, If we all clapped on 1 and 3 we would know where 1 was all the time. This will make us all better bass players.

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by sb69coupe

Why is it that so many white folks clap on the "off" beats?

It's because our calf muscles are shorter.

[sarcastro83]

Toronto audiences in general, in my experience, have no rhythm. It's pretty damned funny, if not utterly depressing...

[JmJ]

Originally Posted by dj150888

Not that this particularly offends me, but I think if the conversation was focussed the other way round (why do black people....), it'd be taken a LOT more seriously and would probably cause a lot of trouble.

It makes no difference whether someones black, white, yellow, orange, pink with yellow spots or whatever, some people got it, some don't!

True enough. We should not be poking fun at the arrhythmic, it might throw them off.

[dancehallclasher]

Some songs are MEANT to be clapped along to on the 1 and 3. Rootsy country music, cajun stuff, ho downs, things like that.

[JimK]

Originally Posted by MonetBass

Believe me, it ain't just white folks. Lack of rhythm does not discriminate!

Once upon a time, a Jazz Corner (Jazz website) poster noted how the Japanese clapped on "1" & "3"...to be honest, I think I noticed that on some live recordings.
What's the big deal? If it's consistent...is it a "lack of rhythm"?

[fenderhutz]

It was like that in church growing up.

We had a southern baptist group come to visit and they clapped on 2 and 4. You could have cut the tension with a knife.

[Jazz Ad]

Is there a writen law that states you should clap on 2 & 4 ?

[bassteban]

SHE'LL BE COMIN' ROUND THE MOUNTAIN WHEN SHE COMES...

[MysticMichael]

You think that's bad? I've tried teaching a few of my fellow white people at church how to play a tambourine on the upbeats of 1, 2, 3 & 4. Tried working out a blues shuffle with a piano player who had apparently never played anything syncopated before.

It's a lost cause: they have no sense of groove whatsoever. Too much classical music and opera, not enough R&B and gospel.

Fuggedaboudit!

MM

[iamlowsound]

I have a drummer friend that will always clap on the 2&4 and I sit/stand beside him on purpose and clap on the 1&3 to drive him nuts. It is really funny. When not doing that, I always clap on the accents, whenever they are.

lowsound