Holy Cowbell?!

Now let me start this by saying that in no way is this church musician being sponsored by any products.  If I mention a product, then I have truly found or perceive a benefit from it for music ministry.  And I think you’ll benefit from it as well.

If you are in a church that has a musical style that involves light percussion, this just might interest you.  It is called Cowbell Plus.  But don’t let the name scare you away.  This is an application (“app” for short) that runs on the iPhone.  Now I don’t have one of these phones, but this is one of the few iPhone apps that makes me envious of others that do.

What is it?




Essentially it turns a phone into a musical instrument.  Simply by shaking your phone in rhythm, it recreates light percussion instrument sounds.  Yes, it makes cowbell sounds, but that is just one of many options.  “Play” the phone as a tambourine, maracas, woodblock, or handclap.  My favorite is the Egg Shakers.

Why do I mention this product in Sunday Musician?  It benefits us in several ways.  First, there’s cost.  Most churches these days are on a tight budget like everyone else.  For less than the cost of one of these percussion instruments, a music worship group can have many.  And how many of us have experienced the occasional dropped egg or tambourine during quiet meditation segments?  Very embarrassing.  True, one can still drop an iPhone, but this “instrument” can be turned off conveniently after the song is over.  It is also very easy to use.  Simply shake it in rhythm as one would an instrument.  There are no wires and no knobs.

Here are some more of the details.

Yes, one of the church musicians would need to have an iPhone and perhaps a sense of adventure(!), so this won't be for everyone.  Again, I have not personally tried this, but I have a friend who has and I’ve read articles from musicians that have.  All recommend this.  If any of you have tried it in your music ministry, please let us know your impressions!

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