To Tap Or Not To Tap

Are you a tapper, A hummer, Or a drummer? With all the easy access to music in this day and age, the young and old have one thing in common... portable music devises. Whether it’s an ipod, mp3 player or the radio, everyone can listen to their favourite tunes wherever and whenever they wish. Being a train catcher for a solid hour each way to work Monday-Friday, I witness multitudes of behaviour that shows just one thing – we love our music! Here’s a breakdown of behaviours commonly used to express your emotions while letting your mind escape to the safety of your collection. Most likely you don’t even realise you are doing any of these yourself so take a look around you and see what the rest of the world is doing.  

The Hummer: These guys are few and far between. The most obvious form of music listener. You can catch them with a sour look on their face glaring always in the direction of the sun. Oblivious to everyone around them, they would most likely get away with the humming but unfortunately there is always a head bop that accompanies the hum.  

The Mimer: These guys look the happiest and most passionate of all music listeners. One minute they are staring into space and the next they are opening and closing their mouth. No, it’s not gum and it certainly isn’t food being chewed. It’s the listener simply whispering sweet nothing to whoever is running through their thoughts at the time. 

The Foot Tapper: Ahhh the foot tapper. One of the more common in the arts, the foot tapper can be either exceptionally loud or bumpy. Be warned - if you have a foot tapper behind your seat, you will certainly feel the beat of their music run up your spine. These are the sort to avoid if you are on the edge after a long hard day in the office. 

The Finger Tapper: I have to admit... I am often subject to finger tappers. My mum is one, my sister is one and my old housemate was one. These guys are also common in the workplace as pencil tappers when no music is in earshot. Finger Tappers make up to approx 75% of tappers and in approx 3% you will find a double whammy. When a foot tapper meets a finger tapper, they can become contagious of one another and then you basically have an entire performance in front of you.  

The Tiny Piano Player: I’m not going to lie to you; this is straight out my category. Majority have been subjected to learning piano at an early age and as a result can be spotted pulling out the octaves with pinkie and thumb. Hard to differentiate from finger tappers at times, these guys have an ear for underlying beats and melodies.  

The Spontaneous Drummer: Most common amongst angry teenage boys, the spontaneous drummer can start off as a winder starrer and then out of nowhere BANG! They are semi standing, double handed air hitting and always follow by the tap of the seat in front for the final beat of the ballad. Passionate and larger than life, these guys are by far the most entertaining of the lot.

The Chin Waggler: ‘is he nodding hello at me?’ No... You don’t know him. Behind those dark sunglasses he probably doesn’t even know you exist. The Chin Waggler permanently has his chin high. At first it may be still and exceptionally subtle, but if you watch closely you will start to see the transformation. Slight bopping up and down creates a movement as if on the phone and agreeing with something someone has said silently.  

The Blaster: Unfortunately some are cursed with being a Blaster. These guys have been listening to loud music for so long they are beginning to go deaf. Turns out those little hairs in your ears that help you hear sounds don’t grow back once damaged. Look after your ears!  

Happy Listening :)