Question about acrylic separators for bell tree

[Ken and Linda Lamb]

Hi,

A nice couple in our church bought bell tree clips for us, both the metal ones and the acrylic kinds.   I'm looking at the package of acrylic bell tree separators and first of all, I guess I have to peel off that brown paper?  It's hard to get off.  Rather, it's hard to get started, as there's no "start peeling here" place.  

And, my question is, there's a paper enclosed that says "as pictured, separators should be inserted between the handles of 3 interlocked handbells."  Etc., etc., etc.  THREE?  Why three?  How do you use them?

Thanks,

Linda Lamb

[Megan Reishus]

I personally don't have the acrylic separators, but I'd imagine they meant three *or more* interlocked handbells. Basically it's "as needed". I seem to recall you start from the bottom of the strand of bells and insert separators as needed to keep the castings free from resting on handles, up as far as you need. With the wire clips for upper bells it's the opposite - going top-down as needed. 

Hope this helps! Also hope someone who has/uses the acrylic separators can better explain how to use them (possibly with pictures). 

Megan

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[Carol Smith]

Linda,

The purpose of the acrylic separator is to keep the casting of a bell from hitting the casting of the bell below it.  When they say 3 interlocked handbells they mean there are at least 3 bells laced in the tree.  They are used on the 5s and lower.  I use Barb Brocker's set up and on the C5 - B5 tree I only need one  of the longer  acrylic separators under the B5.  To insert it once you have the tree laced up  push the A5 handle up a little on the B5 handle and place the separator between the A5 handle and the handguard.  I also use the 2nd separator on the C#5- A#5 tree placing the separator under the handle of the G#5 handle.  Do you by any chance have Barb. Brocker's Bell Tree manual.  There is a picture in there.  The shorter acrylic separator I rarely use, but if I do it's usually on a larger bell.  

Carol Smith

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[Karen Cmejla]

I couldn't have said it better myself, Carol. That's exactly how I would have explained it. 

Karen Cmejla

Sent from my iPhone

[Nancy Kirkner]

Hi, Linda, my acrylic clips didn't come with brown paper, so that must be something new. Yes, you would peel it off. You may need to soak it off.

The reason they say 3 is that you need a minimum of 3 bells to make a tree that might need clips.

You can see a picture of the clips deployed here: http://www.handbells.com/Handbells/Handbell_Articles_%28blog%29/Entries/2012/6/19_Bell_trees__equipment.html

This is part of a series I wrote about my experience learning to play bell trees. You can find the others in the topical index of articles on the site.

Best,

Nancy Kirkner
Seattle

[Barbara Brocker]

Hi Linda,

 

So glad you have the separators now.

I was surprised to hear that there was no picture diagram included in the package of acrylic clips.  I’ll contact the manufacturer and see if I can learn what happened as it was included before. 

I’ll email you the diagram directly.  The explanations here on BT-L have also been excellent.  If you let me know which was the most helpful, we can include that, too, with the clips.

Sorry you have had this confusion.  Would love to know what you’re working on now.

 

Barb

 

P.S. I am recommending your “I Saw Three Ships” to two neighboring budding bell tree ringers who have done one duet (STEP’s Alleluia) with raging success and want one that’s “a little more involved” for Christmas.  I’m open to other ideas.

[Ken and Linda Lamb]

Dear Group,

Thanks for all the help.  After reading your explanations, I realized that I was missing the point of how to use the clips.   It was the "three bell" thing that threw me off.  Three bells?  I guess they meant, a three-bell minimum?  

Actually, I have a set of my own that I made (laminated cardboard painted with a black Sharpie, free as opposed to $25) that work pretty well.  The acrylic ones were bought for the church, where we had no separators of any kind - I just brought mine from home, but now I won't have to worry that I'll forget.  And yes, we have the wire ones both at church (now) and at home.

Barb, yes, there was a picture diagram that came with the separators, but it was very dark, and hard to see.  I know how to use the things, but somehow had a brain scramble at the "three bell" instruction.  

I do have Barb's manual.  And am working my way through it.  

What I'm working on now, is a vocal solo/bell tree/piano piece called The Garden Hymn, not to be confused with In the Garden.   Trying to memorize the middle part, where the bell tree is the "alto" part for the soprano.  

Thanks for recommending I Saw Three Ships!  Hope Publishing gave me permission to send the duet part to anyone who had purchased the solo music.  

Thanks again, everyone!

LindaL

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From: bfbfb...@gmail.com
To: bellt...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [BT-L] Question about acrylic separators for bell tree
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2015 05:40:18 -0700

[Dian Ruder]

The brown paper comes off easily once you get it separated from the edge. No need to soak. I used mine with the goldish-brown paper on for a while, as the color blended in with the gold bells. Then I took it off, and it looks better. Good description, Carol, of how to use them. Keeps the big bells ringing clearly.

Dian

On Aug 4, 2015, at 1:23 AM, bellt...@googlegroups.com wrote:

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• Question about acrylic separators for bell tree - 5 Updates

Question about acrylic separators for bell tree

Ken and Linda Lamb <kenla...@msn.com>: Aug 03 10:21AM -0400

Hi, A nice couple in our church bought bell tree clips for us, both the metal ones and the acrylic kinds. I'm looking at the package of acrylic bell tree separators and first of all, I guess I have to peel off that brown paper? It's hard to get off. Rather, it's hard to get started, as there's no "start peeling here" place. And, my question is, there's a paper enclosed that says "as pictured, separators should be inserted between the handles of 3 interlocked handbells." Etc., etc., etc. THREE? Why three? How do you use them? Thanks,Linda Lamb

Megan Reishus <mbre...@gmail.com>: Aug 03 09:36AM -0600

I personally don't have the acrylic separators, but I'd imagine they meant three *or more* interlocked handbells. Basically it's "as needed". I seem to recall you start from the bottom of the strand of bells and insert separators as needed to keep the castings free from resting on handles, up as far as you need. With the wire clips for upper bells it's the opposite - going top-down as needed.   Hope this helps! Also hope someone who has/uses the acrylic separators can better explain how to use them (possibly with pictures).   Megan

Carol Smith <carol...@comcast.net>: Aug 03 08:57AM -0700

Linda, The purpose of the acrylic separator is to keep the casting of a bell from hitting the casting of the bell below it. When they say 3 interlocked handbells they mean there are at least 3 bells laced in the tree. They are used on the 5s and lower. I use Barb Brocker's set up and on the C5 - B5 tree I only need one of the longer acrylic separators under the B5. To insert it once you have the tree laced up push the A5 handle up a little on the B5 handle and place the separator between the A5 handle and the handguard. I also use the 2nd separator on the C#5- A#5 tree placing the separator under the handle of the G#5 handle. Do you by any chance have Barb. Brocker's Bell Tree manual. There is a picture in there. The shorter acrylic separator I rarely use, but if I do it's usually on a larger bell.   Carol Smith On Aug 3, 2015, at 7:21 AM, Ken and Linda Lamb wrote:

Karen Cmejla <karen....@outlook.com>: Aug 03 12:28PM -0500

I couldn't have said it better myself, Carol. That's exactly how I would have explained it. Karen Cmejla   Sent from my iPhone

Nancy Kirkner <bell....@gmail.com>: Aug 03 11:20AM -0700

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