Random Ringing...

[Bill Ingram]

I would like to have the wisdom of the list concerning random ringing.  How do you prefer to do it?   Do you have everyone start together or do you let them just come in "sometime" during the measure(s)?  How/when do the individual ringers begin?   How do you insure that it sounds random...most people seem to want to ring on a beat or a sub-beat...   How often should they ring... what would suggest that they ring more often or less often?   What other suggestions would you make about Random Ringing?   I'm sure there are other variables...the number of bells being rung, etc...   Thanks in advance, I'm looking forward to your responses.   Have a great Easter.  "He Is Alive!"         Bill Ingram

[Thomas Simpson]

Hey Gang,

So I was at BIG LOTS today and they have THE PERFECT 6' handbell table. It's $39 - but is on sale this week for $35! (The have them in stock all the time.)

It is 6' by 36', folds, then folds in half again. AND has a handle and locks - both open AND closed.

It was just like a Malmark table, but for $35!!! I'm going tomorrow to get another one!

Thomas

[Blanche Marie Lewis]

When I’ve directed ‘random rings’, I have designated which ringers should start, but let it truly be random after that. The only other designation is that all the bells played are either from a pentatonic scale or from a particular chord. Some people like to ring slow, some like to ring fast, some set up a pattern for themselves, others just ring whatever. So it all works out.

Enjoy the random structure or structured randomness!

Blanche Marie

 

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From: temp-ha...@googlegroups.com [mailto:temp-ha...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Bill Ingram
Sent: Friday, April 02, 2010 8:43 PM
To: temp handbell
Subject: [HB-L] Random Ringing...

I would like to have the wisdom of the list concerning random ringing.  How do you prefer to do it?   Do you have everyone start together or do you let them just come in "sometime" during the measure(s)?  How/when do the individual ringers begin?   How do you insure that it sounds random...most people seem to want to ring on a beat or a sub-beat...   How often should they ring... what would suggest that they ring more often or less often?   What other suggestions would you make about Random Ringing?

I'm sure there are other variables..the number of bells being rung, etc...

Thanks in advance, I'm looking forward to your responses.   Have a great Easter.  "He Is Alive!"         Bill Ingram

 

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[Beth Ann Edwards]

We frequently start with a wave: biggest bells first, up to smallest. The pace is your choice, and often depends on what follows. Sometimes the simplest things take the most practice. Work with the choir until you get the sound you’re looking for. And be very specific about your conducting motions so they don’t confuse greater frequency of strikes with greater volume. Also – practice the random ring in the venue where it will be performed.

Beth Ann Edwards

[Anne Miller]

In random ringing, besides the already mentioned, I've used as many various bells as hands available, then resolved by damping all but a structured chord; maybe the chord in the key of the hymn or prelude that immediately follows. Sometimes, I've asked the choir to watch/listen for a cued note/ringer for the next change, whether it be to damp completely, decrescendo, or just stop ringing and circulate the sound. You could try beginning with a few ringers in the narthex or sacristy (from afar), then adding in a few more ringers from the balcony (a bit closer), then finally add ringers in the aisles/pews (close & present). You might just indicate a 5 or 10 second wait in between and not cue them.

For me the decision of what bells to use could be determined by the theme/effect you want. If it's a service focused on stars (Epiphany/Christmas Eve) you might just choose the more 'twinkly' high bells. For something heavier (funeral/vigil) you might choose only bass pentatonic bass bells. I tend to use the full range for celebratory events and often begin with the bass bells.

In my experience, I've found that most choirs figure out what random means without rehearsing each person separately and had a lot of fun experimenting. Hope that helps! Enjoy!

Celebrating the joy of His resurrection!

Anne

 

[Stephanie Wiltse]

Sounds like the kind of tables I've bought at Target in the past... they
are sturdy and exactly the right size.

I'll have to see if our Big Lots carries them; I've never been to one.

Stephanie in Grand Rapids MI

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[Stephanie Wiltse]

I have to take this back: I haven't seen the tables that fold and then
fold in half again. Worth checking out!

How are they in terms of metal parts that rattle when malleting/marting?

Stephanie

[Thomas Simpson]

Okby fold in half I meant, the legs fold up, and then the table folds.

No rattle so far.

Thomas'

[Ken and Linda Lamb]

One of my ringers is an accountant, and she says accountants don't do anything randomly, so she struggles with random ringing!  Actually, I think other ringers do, too, but they don't have her excuse.
 
Linda Lamb
Southern Maryland
 

[Blanche Marie Lewis]

There are 4 accountants in the Celebration Ringers at 1^st UMC of Winter Park – we did a random ring on Palm Sunday during the entrance (we were part of the crowd causing general clamoring, etc).  They were able to fit themselves into the random ringing. It’s OK if some of the ringers set up patterns for themselves to follow, because the overall effect of no melody or repetitive block chords will be achieved by the fact that not everyone is going to choose the same pattern. (And some ringers never have figured out how to play a repetitive pattern the same way each time!) LOL

Ringers like to give excuses for techniques which they have not perfected – encourage them to do it anyway. They’ll grow in their ringing and musicality. And might even thank you after a year or so!

Happy Easter!

Blanche Marie

 

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[Karen]

Thomas,
It sounds great, my question is does it have a locking pin or
something to keep the table from sagging in the middle? I've purchased
4 of the fold in the middle white plastic tables (Lifetime Brand) and
they inevitably end up sagging. Now, they are dedicated chime choir
tables.

Karen Eastburn
Plano, TX

[Thomas Simpson]

Checking....

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[Thomas Simpson]

Ok

They have locking pins on both sides of the table; there is a bar in the middle that is then supported by two rails that attach to the fold out legs.

Thomas

On Apr 4, 2010, at 11:07 PM, Karen wrote:

[Susan T. Nelson]

Hmmmm.... that's definitely something to consider.  We used regular banquet tables at my last church.  St. Mark has MM tables and I LOVE them.  I have them at home too.  One is stays up all the time and the others are folded/tucked in a corner of the music room.  

Sue

[Thomas Simpson]

Did you go an look??

On Apr 3, 2010, at 12:35 AM, Stephanie Wiltse wrote:

[CRUMC]

Thomas,
Thanks for checking! They sound like a good option.
Karen

On Apr 4, 10:12 pm, Thomas Simpson <ftsimp...@aol.com> wrote:
> Ok
>
> They have locking pins on both sides of the table; there is a bar in the middle that is then supported by two rails that attach to the fold out legs.
>
> Thomas
>
> On Apr 4, 2010, at 11:07 PM, Karen wrote:
>
>
>
> > Thomas,
> > It sounds great, my question is does it have a locking pin or
> > something to keep the table from sagging in the middle? I've purchased
> > 4 of the fold in the middle white plastic tables (Lifetime Brand) and
> > they inevitably end up sagging. Now, they are dedicated chime choir
> > tables.
>
> > Karen Eastburn
> > Plano, TX
>
> > On Apr 2, 8:34 pm, Thomas Simpson <ftsimp...@aol.com> wrote:
> >> Hey Gang,
>
> >> So I was at BIG LOTS today and they have THE PERFECT 6' handbell table. It's $39 - but is on sale this week for $35! (The have them in stock all the time.)
>
> >> It is 6' by 36', folds, then folds in half again. AND has a handle and locks - both open AND closed.
>
> >> It was just like a Malmark table, but for $35!!! I'm going tomorrow to get another one!
>
> >> Thomas
>
> > --
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> > Unsubscribe: temp-handbell...@googlegroups.com

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> - Show quoted text -