Hand Bell Ringing Techniques

Flip out break apart a four in hand configuration and end up with the primary bell in the opposite hand.

Hand bell ringing techniques.

With bass bells lying on the foam pads grasp the clapper with the fingers keeping the thumb on top. The effect simulates a forte piano. It is most familiar to the public as the sound of church bells. Ring the primary bell.

This produces a crisp percussive sound. This technique may be used when a soft ring follows a loud ring with the same handbell s. Because in addition to general music notation markings dynamics slurs articulation accidentals accents etc handbell music includes special technique specific markings things like thumb damp echo and martellato. I suggest sitting in the middle of a bed because you ll drop the bells while learning.

Handbell techniques basic bell techniques including stopped sounds sustained sounds and altered sounds taught both as a half day workshop and as a 10 week series for adult beginners weaving managing multiple bells without using four in hand. Change ringing is a form of traditional music based on sequences permutations and patterns. Change ringing can also be performed on handbells where it becomes a contrast to the melodic music of handbell choirs. Varying degrees of pressure will control the diminuendo.

Plucking is a stopped sound technique used primarily in the bass clef c5 and lower. To ring a handbell the ringer moves it in such a way that the clapper strikes the inside surface of the bell usually holding it against his or her shoulder bell upwards and then swinging the bell through an elliptical shape to cause the clapper to strike the casting. Throw the clapper down using the hand while the thumb guides the clapper against the strike point. The cd is executed after ringing a handbell particularly a large handbell slide a gloved hand or finger s up the outside of the handbell toward the rim of the casting.

This video shows t. Practice with two small bells in ring and knock configuration in your right or dominant hand.