BPC Drummer's Forum - Birmingham Percussion Center

I've been asked by many students and customers lately, "How can add some different sounds to my drum kit?" Well the easy answer to that question is "Pick up a cowbell... or a woodblock... or a tambourine."

What happens, though, when you get the cowbell home, get it mounted over your floor tom and sit down to play your kit. How do you work the cowbell into your grooves, and how do you create new grooves using the cowbell as a foundation? Here are some ideas to get you started:

1) Think of the cowbell as an alternative to the hi hats or ride. If you can play a rythm on the hats or ride, you can play the same rythm on the bell.

2) Think of the cowbell as an alternative to the snare drum. It is as simple as it sounds... if you're playing the snare with you left hand on 2 & 4 (like in most basic rock and roll grooves) move those strokes to the cowbell. This technique is great for playing a lighter section of a tune, or as an intro for a drum solo.

3) Think of the cowbell as an alternative to the toms. If you're playing a drum fill that involves going back and forth between the snare and the high tom, for example, instead split the rythm between the snare and the cowbell. Fills split between the ride bell and cowbell are also very cool.

The same ideas apply to incorporating the woodblock or tambourine or splash cymbal into your kit. I'll be adding some specific examples a bit later, until then feel free to contribute your percussion ----> kit concepts.