Bell Assignment by position

[R Lloyd]

I am interested to know the level of difficulty and what skills are needed for each of the Standard bell positions [ie position 1 CD4 Easier position, bigger bells -heavier, does not have fast passages, only one accidental etc etc]

--
Rod

"Count your blessings"

Every time a bell rings, an Angel gets it's wings.

[Michele Sharik]

For which piece? Or just in general?

Sent from my iPad so please excuse any typos, AutoCorrect weirdness, Or Random CapitaliZation. I am not really illiterate, though Siri makes it look like I am. Sigh.

[Long...@aol.com]

>>I am interested to know the level of difficulty and what skills are needed
for each of the Standard bell positions [ie position 1 CD4 Easier position,
bigger bells -heavier, does not have fast passages, only one accidental etc
etc]<<

 

There are many takes on "easy" positions....though every group has a unique make-up --- and every piece requires something slightly different than the next.  Here's my take on it for Level 1 and 2 pieces, as I have 3 classes - each with new ringers joining established ringers every year:

 

For new music readers - I consider AB5 the trickiest, since it floats in the middle of the treble staff, often has flats, and many times shares both the melodic and accompaniment parts.  EF4 could also be in the same category, though my new ringers don't seem to think so, and it's not usually quite as active.

 

FG5 is a very busy position - melodic/accompaniment, often has sharps to switch to, and many times chimes also work through these positions at the same time.

 

Easiest to "find" and follow: B4C5, DE5, EF6, GA6.....The lower ones are often busier, the top ones might need shellies of you're using 4 or 5 octaves.  There's usually enough going on for these positions that they are counting and involved with ringing throughout a piece.

 

Also easy to find (once the ringer understands ledger lines) is B6C7 - but counting is important, since these bells don't ring as often. But also, a lost or random ringer (and I've had my share) often does less damage up here.

 

Size of bells can be the issue for younger or weaker (physically) ringers on the C4-A4 range. These positions work as a team a lot, so having at least one strong ringer in this group will help the others stay on track.

 

Wherever a new ringer plays, I try to pair them with a stronger ringer who can help with preparation, pointing, counting, page turning, etc. Then it matters more who the stand partner is, than which bells they play.

 

But there are exceptions depending on the group: This past year, I had only one new ringer join a very experienced group of 10. I put her at G4A4, extracted and/or marked her part for the first 2 pieces (Tim Waugh's method of triangles and circles - instant success), let her mark the next few scores herself, and by the second concert, she was ready to fly on her own.

 

My two cents worth. 

 

Kath Wissinger

 

[Marcia Payne WOOTEN]

Excellent insight and explanation!

mpw

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[Rod]

Based on my research and feedback, I have created a Bell Assignment table.  

This is music in general and would need adjustment for individual pieces.  

Comments please

Position	Bells	New Ringer	Comments
Bass 1	CDEF3		1st Alternate CDFA3, EGB3, Must weave
Bass 2	GAB3		2nd Alternate CDF3,EGB3, A3CD4, Must weave
1	CD4	Yes	Easier position, Can also play EF4.
2	EF4		Easier position
3	GA4		Anchor position- needs a strong ringer, can lead the bass section, must be good at rhythm
4	B4C5	Yes	Rings a lot, in font of director, must be good at rhythm
5	DE5	Yes	Rings a lot, in font of director, must be good at rhythm
6	FG5		Must be good at rhythm, very busy position, melody/harmony, sharps often, chimes/bells at the same time, Can also play AB5 4-in-hand,
7	AB5		Good Melodic Phrase, needs experienced ringer, melody/harmony, flats often, Can play B6
8	CD6s		Good Melodic Phrase, Dexterity & Sharpness, Shelly position 5oct starting at C#6, Can play C7,
9	EF6s		Good Melodic Phrase, Dexterity & Sharpness, Shelly position 5oct
10	GA6s		Good Melodic Phrase, Dexterity & Sharpness, Can play B6C7 4-in-hand, Shelly position 5oct
11	B6C7s	Yes	Snoozer position, Dexterity & Sharpness, need patience and counting, Shelly position 5oct

Rod Lloyd

Columbia River Handbells

[TimR]

I would have killed for that chart when I showed up to run my first rehearsal ever, and was besieged by a bunch of ringers demanding to know what bells they were on.  I'm supposed to tell them that? 

 

(except of course for the two who told me very firmly which ones were the only ones they would ring and I was not to switch them for any reason)   

[Doug Jones]

I don't think I would put a new ringer at the B6C7 position. It would be difficult to follow the music if you're not used to that yet. 

Doug

Sent from my iPhone

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[blanch...@cfl.rr.com]

Just my musings -
I would try not to put a new beginner on B6C7. If it's fairly easy music, the ringer doesn't play enough to stay engaged and they can get bored and lose their place. If they aren't familiar with reading music, then they have a hard time distinguishing between the G6A6 and the B6C7 notes.
I'm not sure what you meant by some of the positions being 'in front of the director'. That totally depends on table and room set up and your 'space requirements'. I work with several different groups and churches and each one has a totally different set up because of the allocated space. So I end up with different positions in front of me.
Sometimes I like putting new ringers in a busy spot because they play a LOT and so they have to quickly adjust to the ringing environment and make it work.
Blanche Marie

---- Rod <drod...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Based on my research and feedback, I have created a Bell Assignment table.
> This is music in general and would need adjustment for individual pieces.
>
> Comments please

> B4C5
>
> Yes
>
> Rings a lot, in font of director, must be good at rhythm
>

> Must be good at rhythm, very busy position, melody/harmony, sharps often,
> chimes/bells at the same time, Can also play AB5 4-in-hand,
>

[Ann F]

I tend to put my new ringers in positions 3, 4 or 5. For the most part, they are relatively easy to find the notes and they play often enough that the ringer is kept busy and isn't counting rests all the time.

Ann

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