Handbells

A handbell is a special type of bell for manual use. These bells are usually in the use of a large group of people and for a special performance.

To ring these bells, the ringer grasps the bell with its flexible handle. Traditionally this handle is made of leather. However today we can also find high-quality flexible plastic handles in the market. The ringer wears this belt on the arm to make a hinged clapper inside the bell strike in a special way. You can use an individual handbell as a signal to get people’s attention or summon them together for a special announcement etc. Commonly these bells ring in tuned sets. Professionally the handbells, choirs ring the music in particular composition and manner. Here the bells are also a part of higher resonant sounds and limited note range. It is also based on the unique pitch-by-pitch division of the staff among the ringers.

Beginner’s introduction to the handbell family

Originally these bells were a part for tower bell ringers to notify about the changes. However, later, bells wringing hands became part of church services and later a part of community activities. Today, fewer churches have handbell groups in the UK. Whereas in Japan and the USA these bells are taught in schools. Despite being an important part of human history for a long time, these bells have lost their charm and importance in the world. Today we are going to discuss important facts and develop understating of the musical handbells. Later we will share tips on how you can buy a metal handbell for you online.

The history of handbells

The handbell music originated from the church tower bells in the United Kingdom. It has a usage history of more than a century. These larger metallic bells were installed in higher towers to facilitate the tower bell music arrangement. As it was an instrument with unique playing techniques, these church handbells soon became an Avant-grade performing art. The modern-day handbell sets are a combination of individual bells of different pitches. Here each bell resembles a large-sized piano key. With the variety in sounds produced, we can easily associate the tintinnabulation of handbell with Christmas’s festive sulks.

The modern handbell

The first-ever tuned handbell was introduced by Robert and William Cor in England from 1696 to 1724. This bell was initially made of hame boxes. But they started turning the bells finely to have an accurate fundamental tone for unknown reasons. They also fitted these bells with hinged clappers that could move in one plane. The current bells are of seven and hale octaves from G1 to C9. People also appreciate the sound of handbells soon after hearing it for the first time. There are different techniques for producing different sounds, and the tone quality is generally referred to as; thumb damping, shake; martellato’ and pluck.

The modern hand chime

These instruments are also run by hand and are much similar to the handbells. Generally, they are tuned square tubes with an external clapper mechanism. These chimes produce a mellow tone that requires narrower techniques in comparison to the handbells. Some method is much more difficult (like six in hand) or impossible (such as malting). They are mainly used for educational purposes. Originally these chimes are intended to be used as a training tool for prospective handbell ringers. The chimes are much cheaper, lightweight, more resilient and easier to use than a handbell. These properties are also why chimes are more accessible for children over six and for whole groups or church youth choirs.

The modern belle plates

Maurice Davies initially invented the belle plates. It is also a member of the handbell family. It consists of a handle attached to the trapezoid aluminium plate. An attached hammer strikes it. They are somewhat a combination of hand chimes and handbells. Here the playing methods for a belle plate are the same as that of handbells. However, this instrument is not suitable for professional performances or concerts. It fills a gap in the market for a durable, cheap, and lightweight handbell type instrument. They are also cheaper than hand chimes. They are used preferentially to handbells in the kindergarten or with elderly or disabled musicians with such distinct features.