Cowbell: description and application
Cowbell is a type of percussion musical instrument. It allows you to emit a sharp, piercing and bright ringing. This product is quite common in Latin American music. Today we will talk about the main features of such tools.
What it is?
Cowbell is a structure in the form of a metal quadrangular prism with an open front face. The shape of the base can be different, but most often it is diamond-shaped or rectangular.
Such a product is capable of producing clear sound with decay and very short attacks. Together with other musical instruments, cowbell can create interesting compositions.
Model overview
Various models of such musical instruments are currently being produced. Let's get acquainted with some of them in more detail.
- Stagg CB309BK. This model is produced with a special rack mount. It has a fixed pitch, which will directly depend on the thickness and length of the walls, so sometimes several samples with different heights are used at once.
- Pearl PCB-6. Such a cowbell will be able to please with a wonderful tone and good sound. It features the most durable housing, all connections are securely soldered. The sample has the most reliable fixation system. The copy will be a great addition to a musical drum kit.
- Pearl PCB-20 Anarchy Bell. This cowbell has a "brutal" harsh tone. The weight of the product is 1.1 kilograms. The model is specially designed for heavy music performance. The sample stands out for its unusual "aggressive" design.
- Dekko Cowbell 5. Such a simple cowbell has a rather compact size, its length reaches only 12.5 centimeters.It is equipped with a special metal element with a clip, which allows you to fix the product on the stand. One set also includes a stick for playing.
- Latin Percussion LP205 Cowbell. This percussion instrument produces a low tone. The total length of the entire structure is 20.3 centimeters.
- Meinl STB625HH-G. The model is completely forged from a metal base. It is hand-coated with a special gold alloy on top. The sample will delight you with an unusual and bright sound.
- SVK-04. This copy is made from sheet steel. It is covered with matt black paint. The product is produced with a reliable fastening under a bracket with a square-shaped mounting hole measuring 10 millimeters. Damping soft inserts are placed in the inner part, they will allow you to get rid of unwanted melody frequencies.
- SVK-07. This cowbell is also made from steel sheet material. It is finished with a matte finish. The model has secure mounts for brackets.
- Pearl ECB-1 Chico. This percussion tool is made from treated steel. The total length of the structure is 11 centimeters. The total weight reaches only 500 grams. The musical instrument has the clearest and brightest tone. It is equipped with a special angle bracket, which provides the strongest fixation.
- Pearl PTB-30. Such a sample is a structure that consists of three cowbells at once. The product is made with one sturdy handle. The body is created from a steel base. It is covered with a special black paint. The model has a particularly strong mount for fixing it to the stand.
- Alva KA625. This tool comes with a beautiful chrome finish. It is hand forged. The model itself is made from a special steel alloy. Cowbell reproduces perfectly clear and piercing sound.
- Meinl MPE1BK. This model is made of high quality and durable plastic. It allows you to produce the sharpest and most piercing sound. The impact tool will fit any L-shaped mount. The total weight of the structure is only 580 grams. Such a cowbell may well be used for both drum and percussion set. The clamps and block can easily withstand any drum beat. The product is designed in black colors.
Where is it used?
This percussion instrument is widely used in Latin American musical compositions. This is due to the appearance of a special ritual bell. In Latin American ensembles, the product is usually used by performers who play the bongo, as well as timbalero drummers.
In the first case, the player must hold the structure in the palm of his hand, while fixing the saturation and sound level with his fingers, and strike the body with a wooden stick. In the second case, one or several of these percussion instruments are fixed on the stand together with the drums.
Initially, the cowbell was used as a simple bell to be hung on livestock. But with the advent of music, they began to be released without a tongue, they began to be produced along with a small percussion stick.
Often, when playing different melodies, several cowbells are used at once to create sound with different frequencies. Many models are equipped with special plastic dampers during production, they make it easy to eliminate all extraneous and interfering overtones when playing. Often, special samples with the percussive sound of these products are used to create interesting melodies.