handplaying

Handplaying is a term used to describe the execution of a performance, game, or action by manual means using the hands, rather than by automated devices, mechanical aids, or remote control. The phrase is multidisciplinary and lacks a single formal definition, but in common usage it highlights the tactile, skill-based aspect of the activity and the role of human control in real time.

In music, handplaying denotes the act of producing sound directly with the hands—such as pressing keys, plucking strings, or striking surfaces—on an instrument like a piano, guitar, or percussion. It emphasizes touch, articulation, and phrasing. Handplaying contrasts with self-playing mechanisms, automatic rehearsals, or computer-generated accompaniment that perform without direct musical input during a live performance.

In card games and gambling, handplaying refers to the management and execution of a specific hand, including dealing, betting, and card play. It describes the sequence of decisions and actions a player takes within the course of a single hand, and is a common term in strategy discussions and hand histories in games such as poker or bridge.

Outside music and games, handplaying may describe manual manipulation of props in theater and magic, or human-controlled operation of devices when automation or remote control is unavailable or undesirable. The term is often auxiliary rather than a formal technical label, and its precise meaning depends on the domain in which it is used.

See also: manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, gestural control.