 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2014-05-30 20:49
I wonder if the cowbell had been through a proper breakin.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2014-05-30 21:05
I've been playing saxes in rock/Top-40/R&B bands for most of my life, and always carry a bag of small percussion instruments (including cowbells) to bang on when I'm not blowing a horn.
You can't imagine how often I've heards someone yell "more cowbell!". Second only to "Freebird!".
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Author: William
Date: 2014-05-30 22:12
DB, you are fortunate to play in an ensemble where such finite attention is paid to fine tuning of dynamic balance and expression. Or maybe, the clarinets are too loud for the percussion......???
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Author: ruben
Date: 2014-05-30 22:48
There are many cowbells in Mahler symphonies. Cows must be rehearsed, though.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2014-05-30 23:51
What's the best cowbell? One with a dark sound!
(Sorry. Couldn't resist.)
B.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2014-05-31 01:30
What's the proper break-in procedure for a cowbell?
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2014-05-31 01:35
It is well known that the best cowbells were produced by Martin's Dairy in the 1950s. Alternatives include Sealtest. Guernsey Gold, made for Jersey cow's is also an option.
These can go for a hefty sum.
Blummy, aren't you a Sealtest Artist??
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2014-05-31 02:18
Well, cowbells vary in sound quality and durability. A new one really can't be evaluated properly, and if you play it too often, or too loudly, or too long, or too close to the small end- before it's had opportunity to align its vibrations with the prevailing van Allen radiation belts- you've just wasted your effort and $$.
The best way to learn all the proper methods is to study for a cowbell performance degree from a top program and with a recognized master, if you can win a spot through the tough audition process. Perhaps someone on the Cowbell BBoard can help us with some details and references. Remember, though- an actual paying position playing cowbell is unimaginably difficult to land, despite the large number of such artists required for major metropolitan rap and Hello Kitty groups. That's because the cowbell players already holding those positions seldom give them up- even when no longer breathing. (After 60 or 70 years of cowbell playing, the muscle memory can continue unchanged pretty much forever.)
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
Post Edited (2014-05-31 04:23)
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2014-05-31 05:36
The real question is: Can cowbells get "blown out"? My cowbell is about 30 years old and I'm wondering if I should replace it.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2014-05-31 06:13
Do hard rubber cowbells discolour, and if so how do you fix them.
Tony F.
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2014-05-31 06:42
Is it considered unprofessional to retain the clapper?
I do know that the Swiss remove the clapper for use in Orchestre de la Suisse Romande.....Ansermet was emphatic about it. Other countries may differ.
The Viennese might consider this a sacrilege (after all, they rarely neuter their pets).
Wonder if WaWa ever sold Cowbells?
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: AAAClarinet
Date: 2014-05-31 07:11
Wearing leather gloves will give your cowbell a darker more covered tone.
AAAClarinet
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2014-05-31 18:11
Has anyone studied the effect of rust on the timbre, response, and projection of a cowbell?
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2014-05-31 19:15
The very best professional-grade cowbells are made from an alloy of unobtainium, which has unique resonant properties and does not rust.
Tony F.
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Author: gkern
Date: 2014-05-31 20:17
I think this thread has been milked for all it's worth! Udderly ridiculous...
Gary K
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Author: Tony Pay ★2017
Date: 2014-06-01 09:52
Only just got around to viewing Liquorice's wonderful link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8RdzgB2Mug
We worked with Zinman a couple of years ago, Mendelssohn/Weber/Beethoven – I thought he was great.
What's the story behind this? Is it possible to subtitle it?
Tony
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Author: BartHx
Date: 2014-06-01 21:57
Our community band was totally stunned awhile back when the director asked for more trombone.
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Author: JKL
Date: 2014-06-01 22:08
>What's the story behind this? Is it possible to subtitle it?
This film about the cowbell audition (Liquorice´s link) was a present of the Gönnerverein (society of friends of the Tonhalle Orchestra) for David Zinman on the occasion of his 75th birthday. During the gala concert the audience watched it on a big screen, and subsequently the story continued on stage.
The panel judges the the candidates:
"It sounds like an old Olivetti typewriter" - "but he has talent!"
"Certainly he usually plays in Vienna Jazz clubs"
"tedious - like a retiree"
"I am sad - this player makes me really depressed"
"He has a very distinctive ego" - "his right hand is very much developed"
Judging Alexander Pereira, director of the opera Zurich and, later, of the Salzburg festival:
"Good for nothing" - "has a weird groove, brasilian" - "you can play this way in Salzburg, but not in Zurich"
and about the best candidate (the cow):
"one can see that he has intensely studied this instrument"
and so on.
Also very convincing the announcement in the Journal "Das Orchester": "required piece: 6th Mahler and a cowbell cantilena of free choice"
By the way, Liquorice - "For those of you who understand German" was a little joke, wasn't it? I do understand Swiss German, but the comment under the video ("German subtitles available?") could have been made with good cause....
JKL
Post Edited (2014-06-01 23:37)
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