How to Make a Cowbell Ring

Hold the cowbell in your non-dominant hand.

Including the sounds of a cowbell in a piece can add a unique texture to the music. It can complement the song in various ways, from adding a constant percussion beat to ringing out at various points in the chorus or bridge. The way you strike the cowbell differs according to the type of sound you want to make. To make a cowbell ring out, it is best to hit it on its widest end and point the opening towards the audience.

Things You'll Need

• Cowbell
• Drum stick

Instructions

1. Hold the cowbell in your non-dominant hand. This will allow you to strike it with your hand that is the most dexterous. Grasp it at its base, which is the narrow end.

2. Point the cowbell's opening towards the audience. This will allow its sound to ring out better.

3. Strike the cowbell on its lip using a drumstick or similar object. This will produce the thickest, loudest sound. Hit it quickly, minimizing the amount of time the two objects are in contact. Keeping the stick in contact with the cowbell will dampen its sound.

4. Hit the cowbell on various places to find the spot that will achieve the sound you desire. The closer to the bottom you strike it, the "tinnier" the sound will be and the less it will ring out.

References

• YouTube: How to Play a Cowbell
• YouTube: How to Play More Cowbell Sounds

Resources

• RhythmTech: Cowbells, Agogo & Triangle