 | |
| Percussion instrument | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Hand percussion |
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 111.242 (Externally struck percussiveidiophone) |
| Playing range | |
| Single note with timbral variations | |
| Related instruments | |
| Agogô | |
Thecowbell is anidiophonehand percussioninstrument used in various styles of music, such asLatin androck. It is named after thesimilar bell used byherdsmen to keep track of the whereabouts ofcows. The instrument initially and traditionally has been metallic; however, contemporarily, some variants are made of synthetic materials.
While the cowbell is commonly found in musical contexts, its origin can be traced to freely roaming animals. In order to help identify the herd to which these animals belonged, herdsmen placed these bells around the animal's neck. As the animals moved about the bell would ring, thus making it easier to know of the animal's whereabouts. Though the bells were used on various types of animals, they are typically referred to as "cowbells" due to their extensive use withcattle.[1]
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Tuned cowbells orAlmglocken (their German name, ‘Alm’ meaning a mountain meadow, and ‘Glocken’ bells), sometimes known by the English translationalpine bells (alsoAlpenglocken in German), typically refer to bulbous brass bells that are used to play music, sometimes as a novelty act or tourist attraction in the northernAlps, and sometimes inclassical music, as inRichard Strauss'sAlpine Symphony. Since they are tuned differently, in order to distinguish individual animals, they can be collected "from the pasture" in random tunings, but commercial sets inequal temperament are also available. The metal clapper is retained, and they sound muchnoisier thanhandbells, which are otherwise used similarly in ensembles.[citation needed]
Composers who includedAlmglocken among their musical palette includeTōru Takemitsu,Jo Kondo,Gustav Mahler,Richard Strauss,Roy Harter,John Adams,Thomas Ades,Joseph Schwantner, andKarlheinz Stockhausen.Olivier Messiaen used multiple chromatic sets of clapperless cowbells in several of his compositions, notablyEt expecto resurrectionem mortuorum andCouleurs de la cité celeste.[citation needed]
Clapperless cowbells made of metal are an important element in Latin-American andgo-go music. These cowbells are struck with a stick – the tone being modulated by striking different parts of the bell and by damping with the hand holding the bell.[citation needed]
In several parts of the world (notably in West Africa) pairs or trios of clapperless bells are joined in such a way that they can be struck separately or clashed together. The Brazilian name for these is "agogo" bells. Cylindricalwood blocks played in the same way are also called "Agogô". InCuban music the cowbell is calledcencerro and often played by the same player as thebongos. InCaribbean music two or three are often mounted together with a pair oftimbales.[citation needed]
This type of cowbell can also be played with the foot using a modified bass drum pedal or bowed with adouble bassbow.[citation needed]
Cowbells are sometimes popular noisemakers at sporting events, despite attempts to suppress them. While different sports teams seem to have their own story explaining the use of cowbells at their games, it is unlikely that so many teams across varying levels of sports and geographical regions would not have a common cultural reason for the practice. Although the origin of cowbell noisemakers is unclear, the most plausible explanation has to do with early baseball. Baseball games in the 19th century were often played in cow pastures, as American society was agrarian-based at the time. Cowbells were easily found or taken from around the necks of cows in the pasture and were utilized as noisemakers. The tradition naturally grew to be common practice at various sporting events, not just baseball.[2] In theUnited States, they are most closely identified withMississippi State University, whosefootball fans once smuggled in cowbells by the thousands despite a ban on artificial noisemakers by itsconference, theSoutheastern Conference.[3] SEC guidelines were changed in 2010 to permit limited cowbell use at Mississippi State football games, and again in 2014 to permit cowbells to be freely rung at any time except between the time that the offensive center is over the football until the play is whistled dead.[4] Elsewhere in college football, the cowbell can be found atPenn State andMichigan football games, where it is played with a particular rhythm and accompanying chant.[5]
Worldwide, incross-country skiing, cowbells are often rung vigorously at the start and finishes of races, to cheer on the racers. They are used bycyclocross fans in much the same way.
Cornellice hockeyfans who are also known for their zealous support of their team have cheers that feature use of a cowbell while inLynah Rink. TheSan Jose SaberCats of theArena Football League are also infamous for their fans' use of cowbells. InNew Zealand, supporters of theWaikato Rugby Union invariably use cowbells at home matches; this has been carried over to home matches of theChiefs, theSuper Rugby franchise centered on theWaikato region. DuringUniversity of New Hampshire ice hockey games, a small group of fans at the base of the student section show their support for the UNH Wildcats with a cowbell. This group also leads the chants and shows their support with posters and other props. Finally the 2006–2007 American Basketball Association (ABA) champion Vermont Frost Heaves have a large cowbell following at their home games.
A small number ofToronto Blue Jays fans atRogers Centre frequently bring cowbells to Blue Jays home games. They are common enough atTampa Bay Rays home games that the stadium scoreboard graphics crew have a pre-built graphic that says "More Cowbell!!". TheEverett Silvertips fans also use cowbells, after the team watched theSaturday Night Live skit while on their tour bus in their inaugural season, and said they wanted the fans to have cowbells. They have a "more cowbell" that sometimes shows on thejumbotron. The Belleville Bulls in the Ontario Hockey League used the skit on their video scoreboard and "More Cowbell" as a catchphrase during the 2007 playoffs. Their goalie Edward Pasquale has severalWill Ferrell characters painted on his goalie mask, including the one from the Saturday Night Live skit with the cowbell and others.
Fans of theNational Basketball Association'sSacramento Kings began bringing cowbells to the team's games atARCO Arena afterLos Angeles Lakers head coachPhil Jackson referred to Sacramento as a "cow town" with "semi-civilized" fans during the2002 Western Conference Finals.
The cowbell has become a tradition for theMelbourne Storm fans in theNRL and is rung by a group of 3 people in the active supporter bay behind the goals atAAMI Park, as well as a few other people around the ground.
The supporters ofHuddersfield Giants also have a small, enthusiastic group of fans known as "the cowbell army" who try and create a fun and friendly atmosphere at home and away games in theSuper League.
"More cowbell" is an Americancatchphrase spoken as a humorous recommendation for improving a music performance. The phrase originated fromChristopher Walken saying it in acomedy sketch[6] that aired onSaturday Night Live on April 8, 2000.[7]
Media related toCowbells at Wikimedia Commons