Moo Tube

Is there such a thing as a cowficionado? If so, we must have a few of them around here. This totally silly piece is evidence of that. (Not to mention the cover of this issue.) A sophisticated blend of elements was the inspiration for this whimsical fabricowtion: the natural Boomwhacker®/bass line, the ever-growing popularity of YouTube™, the fact that Boomwhackers® actually are tubes, "moo" rhymes with "you," and of course, we like cows. Besides, who doesn't like to moo every now and then? And mooing is just what your students will do with this tubular tune. Literally. The melody is simple and very singable, and when we say the lyrics are memorable, we're not kidding. You should have them singing the moos in no time.

Just what you'd expect from such creative craniums, there is ample opportunity for your kids to do some solo mooing throughout the tune. As you will hear on our recording, we encouraged our mooers to moo high, low, loud, soft, goofy, alien, foreign, you name it. Mixed in with all that fun, there are actual cows mooing, too. Just to keep things from getting udderly out of control.

If you think this is all pure silliness, well, you're right. However, there is actual focus and learning needed to accomplish this piece successfully for singers, mooers, and Boomwhacker® players alike. Especially at the end from about measure 36 on. Your solo mooists need to be concentrating and ready to perform on exactly the right beat for it to work. Measures 38 and 39 will definitely keep everyone on their hooves.

As with all Boomwhacker® pieces, we invite players to do what we call "Boomwhacker® applause" after the tune. We believe that after having to play so seriously and musically on a Boomwhacker®, one should have a reward - a release, if you will. Basically, you just cue players to play ad lib, and then either fade them or cut them off, also by cue. This is optional, of course.

At the end of this piece, we also invite singers and mooers alike to join the Boomwhackers® in what we like to call "cowcophany." (Feel free to groan if you like. Or moo.)