Cowbell (instrument)

Cowbell

Percussion instrument
Classification	Hand percussion
Hornbostel–Sachs classification	111.242 (Externally struck percussive idiophone)
Playing range
Single note with timbral variations
Related instruments
Agogô

The cowbell is an idiophone hand percussion instrument used in various styles of music, such as Latin and rock. It is named after the similar bell used by herdsmen to keep track of the whereabouts of cows. The instrument initially and traditionally has been metallic; however, contemporarily, some variants are made of synthetic materials.