G4-Bb4 on bell tree

[Ken and Linda Lamb]

This is a plea for help (belated, since the event is over with).  Yesterday I prepared to play bell tree for the communion portion of our service.  I had practiced at home on my Malmark bells, but planned to use the church's Schulmerich bells so I wouldn't have to carry bells from home.  G4-D6.  Everything went fine when I strung up the treble bells, but when I hung up the G4, A4, and Bb4, there was no way to keep B4 from touching G4.   I tried everything - those acrylic things, the dowels with hair bands, etc.  In desperation, I sent my husband home with specific instructions to bring my Malmark G4, A4, and Bb4.  I knew that at home, they worked, so I hoped they would at church.  Even at that, they were a bit iffy, but with an acrylic separator, they at least left about ½ inch between.  Maybe less.  They held and I was able to play the music.  Whew!!!

Now, what did I do wrong, or what could I have done to not have this problem?  Besides transpose - which I think I WILL do, and add to the repository in a key that would prevent others from having the problem I had. 

Before the service started, my hands were shaking like mad.  However, the first song was "Yes I Will..." "count on one thing, the same God that never fails will not fail me now, is working all things out..."  After that, I was calm, but I do think I relied on The Miracle of the First Pew to a great extent, and hoping that my hesitations would be thought to be rubato.    Or fermata, or ritardando, or interpretation...

Thanks for consolation you can provide!

Linda Lamb

[KVW Creations]

Linda - A little more about your configuration, please. 

Are you using standard keyboard setup so the 4s are split at the bottom of the 5s strings? Or are you hanging the 4s in a separate string? 

I use Malmarks but when I do include the 4s, I hang them on a separate arm in two strings below my 5 strings. This takes the weight off the 5s so I don't have so much trouble with the 5s "touching". 

I will leave it someone with Schulmerichs to answer you further. 

Glad it worked out. I've been in a similar spot when I borrowed a second set of bells (S) to string for BT at a concert so I could have my (M) on the table. The S handles are a bit longer so the bells were gradually "out of place" on the BT. It caused a few "air bells" when my mallet did not find the casting in the "usual" spot. 

KVW 

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[bfbfb...@gmail.com]

Hi Linda,

 

I have the same questions as Karen.  What was your setup?

 

I’ve not been able to string the GAB4 together on Malmarks without touching.  So I split them up and put them at the bottom of my two sharp/flat strings as I don’t want to mess with the natural strings.

 

I think it’s amazing you have a half an inch between them!  If I get a hair’s breath, and they’re not touching, I’m good to go.   Then I hold my breath so they don’t shift while playing.  The holding of the breath is I’m sure what does it.

 

I’m also surprised that the Shullys would have that touching problem.  With all the various Shullys I’ve played on, I notice that they need fewer clips, if any, because of their stiffer handles.  But I haven’t strung the GAB4 so what do I know.

 

Back to your setup.  Please let us know how you strung them.

 

bb

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[Linda Lamb]

First of all, if I'd consulted BB's book before I started, I would have transposed the piece to begin with.  Maybe.  The version I played has the main melodies on the C5C6 strand, key of F Major.  The transposed version avoids the 4s, but has the melodies (medley) going back and forth between the 5s and 6s.  Which is preferable?

The 4s come in as harmonies.  Maybe I got too fancy.

Anyway, here's my set-up, a spinoff of Barb's keyboard set-up.

Front row, C5-C6, with Bb5 substituted.  I know, you're smacking your collective heads.  Behind that, I put Eb5 as a harmony note. More head smacking.  Back arm had D6, the only 6 used, besides C6 which is on the initial strand.  Behind that were the offending G/A/Bb4.  

The transposed version has only one accidental - Bb5.  The range is D5-A6.

As I was only playing the one piece, I took liberties with standard keyboard set-up, which I'm a fan of, usually.

Aside:  about the original problem, my husband calls it "inappropriate touching."

How do I submit the transposed version to the repository?

Thanks!

LL

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[Krista Riedel]

I know I've had a similar conversation with Barb previously and that I personally have had more issues with Schulmerich handles vs. Malmark and needing more clips for the Schuls. Could definitely be the sets of bells I've been used to ringing on ("original handles"). As for Linda's issue, I've had the same problem but I've been able to fix the lower bells touching with the acrylic clips and cross fingers so the strand doesn't shift. When in doubt, I definitely try and just put those lower bells on a different belltree arm instead so they are independent. 

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-Krista Riedel

[bfbfb...@gmail.com]

Linda, I wonder if the higher transposition is just plain better.

 

I’ve arranged pieces with the 4s included because I liked the breadth and depth - and range – they offered.  But I now realize that including the 4’s may be more of a problem than they’re worth.  I hate to see someone not play a piece because the 4s don’t string well for them.  (I’d suggest playing those an octave higher in my arrangements – or fiddling around with something else there that works, but the arrangements are already published….)

 

So much for “inappropriate touching….”

 

bb

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[KVW]

Linda - you asked about submitting to the repository. At the bottom of any email from BellTree-l you will find a “New Submissions” link. Click on that and you can upload. 

Let me know so I can move it to the appropriate place. 

KVW

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[Lynn Miller]

Hi All,

It has been a long while since I played bells or bell tree. I will tell you what I did (what I think I did).  We played with Malmark bells mostly.  The handles are softer and bend more the longer the string is hanging. When string below C5, it wasn’t a matter so much of the weight bending the handles as the size of the bell touching each other.

We came up with Velcro straps around the handles to keep the handle close to the collar of the bell below.  At one time I took pictures to post but I never posted them. I will find those pictures and post them.

I will have the straps at Into the Forest and we can come up with other ideas too.

I will try to find more materials to make the straps. Maybe we can have a class on making them.

I’m sorry this happened to you.

Lynn Miller

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