Handbell

A hand bell is a bell which is carried in the hand and works as a musical instrument or as a signal to attract attention.

History

First mention of hand bells already existed in the year 1600 BC in China. As a result of the Crusades, the hand bells have been known in Europe. They find Musical mention the first time in the 13th century. Presumably, they were used because of their pure sound on ceremonial occasions.

The melody playing on hand bells originated in the 17th century in England from the "change ringing" out, chimes, which consisted of a larger number of kilo - to -ton, suspended in the tower bells. It was usually exercised on 12 hand bells, hand bells later inspired the players with five octaves or more! Over time handbell further technical developments were. It originated handbell choirs and the instrument experienced in the middle of the 18th century its peak. The repertoire of the choirs included operetta melodies, but also popular music of the time. After the First World War, the hand chimes fell into oblivion.

USA

In the United States of America occurred in the 19th century first handbell choirs in circus and vaudeville, and gained a great reputation. 1895 the first handbell choir was founded in Boston. In the 20th century, hand bells came increasingly into church services. For continuous improvement of hand chimes new playing techniques emerged. Nowadays enjoys this music art growing in popularity and is also taught in some universities or schools of music.

The prevalence in parishes in the United States is perhaps comparable to the trombone choirs in Protestant communities in Germany.

Germany

In Germany the hand bells held by the U.S. occupation forces after World War II collection. First choirs were formed in the 1980s. Nevertheless, the hand chimes in Germany is largely unknown. Handbell choirs are there in Germany, for example, in Caputh near Potsdam, Gotha, Hanover and Wiedensahl.

Switzerland

In Switzerland, the hand bells were first introduced by the musician and Canton school teacher Matthias Blumer in 1988. Prior to the hand bells in Switzerland were unknown. There are only a few handbell choirs in Switzerland, for example, in Arni and Roman Horn Lake Constance.

Poland

There are in the Reformed church in Zelow the single handbell choir in Poland.

Construction

A hand bell consists of a mostly bronze bell with a handle in the form of a loop. The weight varies between a few hundred grams to several kilograms. Inside the bell, a movable clapper. In English Handbell the clapper moves in only one axis of motion, while in other types of bells, the axis of movement is not so limited. By moving the bell in a direction of the bobbin is brought to a stop.

Similarly, sound bars work (English called " chimes "), which are cheaper and less sensitive to purchase and therefore esp. for working with children are employed.

Game mechanics and techniques

At the touch game bells are stored sorted with different pitches. To protect the bell gloves are used by the players. Each player takes two to eight bells bells of what makes up the whole piece of music in the interaction of all players. Ten to 15 players are needed.

Depending on the note value, the bells are done in a circular motion at different speeds to the body. This requires the player a great deal of concentration and practice.

In the Four -in-hand technique, two bells are held in one hand at a right angle, which allows the simultaneous striking. Due to the rotation of the hand, the stop and sound of the bell to change. Melody patterns are easier to play. Other techniques are the Pluck, Thump Damp and ring touch. In this case, the bell sound is shortened by the sound is dampened by the thumb or the body. Through a guided past the bell after the attack side of the body is created under certain postures an echo effect. Another effect is the shake, in which, by vigorous shaking of the bell a trill effect is achieved after the attack.

Is the bell struck and vibrates, it is usually not kept quiet, but carried in more or less large arm movements (see above). When listeners also poses a " moving " sound because it comes by Doppler effects at low pitch variations and different orientations of the bell in the space and thus also relative to the ear to volume fluctuations.