How to Ring Handbells

Handbells come in all octaves and many different sizes. It takes a lot of skill to be able to successfully ring them. Here are a few steps describing some of the essentials for ringing handbells.

Instructions

1. Learn to read music. Learn both the treble clef music and the bass clef music. Handbell ringers have to work together, so understanding the music helps the group play together.

2. Count the beats of the music. This is how the handbell choir will play together. Each note will have a specific count, so it is essential that you know how to count the beats in the music.

3. Ring the handbells from the wrist. This helps to control the ringing. The bell should be rung with a flick of the wrist outwards and away from the body. After the flick, the bell should be brought back towards the body in a circular motion. This sends the sound of the bell out to the listeners.

4. Dampen the handbell on your shoulder after you have rung the note (unless otherwise stated in the music). The handbell should be dampened after the appropriate counts for the note have been played.

5. Understand the various ringing techniques, such as thumb dampening, table ringing, playing with mallets and others. The music will have the different techniques marked.

6. Listen to the other bell ringers. Handbell choirs work as a group. It is also important to watch and listen to the director. Watch for tempo changes, tone changes and other direction from the conductor.

7. Practice. Successful handbell ringers practice on a consistent basis.

Tips & Warnings

• Smaller handbells can be rung with two or three bells in one hand.

• Never bang the bells together. This could damage them and distort the sound.