Christine D. Anderson

TWO-IN-HAND (FOUR-IN-HAND) ~ Two bells held in one hand, clappers moving in a perpendicular plane so the bells may ring independently. Method #1: primary bell (on top) is placed onto secondary bell, handle loop on top of flat handle. With 2 fingers between the handles raise bells to normal ringing position. Primary bell rings straight forward, with a "shake someone's hand" motion. Secondary bell rings as though you are knocking on a door. Primary bell may be damped easily on the shoulder; secondary bell damps on foam pad or body. Method #2, Interlocked handles: Right hand (left hand is mirror image) -turn higher bell a quarter turn toward lower bell and insert handle (loop showing) through the lower bell's handle (flat side up). The "skinny" part of the handle is between 3rd and 4th fingers. With 2 fingers between handles, raise to ringing position. Higher bell rings straight forward, as though there was no other bell in hand. Without moving hand, lower bell rings with an inward flip of the wrist. Damp lower bell at shoulder or with thumb; damp higher bell with index finger, at waist, or on table.

Though it's possible to ring these bells simultaneously, the shelley technique (see below) is more successful.

SIX-IN-HAND ~ (right hand; left hand is mirror image) Insert the handle of highest bell into the handle of lowest bell, and turn upright, forming an "interlocked" two-in-hand configuration. Turn middle bell to the left, insert handle, loop side up, through other 2 handles. Place index finger between lowest and middle bell, 3rd and 4th fingers between middle and highest bell, and rest pinky along the metal block of the highest bell, rather than curling pinky around the handle. Lower 2 bells ring exactly like the "interlocked" 2-in-hand method. To ring the highest bell alone, tip wrist so lowest bell is facing the floor, tip wrist back, and ring with a gentle tapping motion. Outer 2 bells will ring together, as a shelley, with hand in a "knock on a door" position.

TRAVELING 2-IN-HAND ~ Primary bell "travels" from one secondary bell to another.

SHELLEY ~ Two bells held in one hand, clappers facing the same direction, flat handle against flat handle. This technique is most successful for bells needing to be rung simultaneously. The larger casting is generally the primary (top) bell.

SHELLEY PLUS ~ The addition of a second bell to one already in hand, either by picking up from the table or by passing a bell from the other hand, without damping either bell.

SHELLEY MINUS ~ Ringing shelley bells together, then releasing the secondary bell to the other hand or to the table.

ALTERNATE SHELLEY ~ Bells held in shelley position, but ringing separately by changing wrist motion. Primary bell rings upright, with its clapper facing the ceiling (secondary bell's clapper faces straight out, parallel to the floor); ring with a crisp inward flip of the wrist. Secondary bell rings with wrist tilted so primary bell's clapper faces the floor; ring with gentle tapping motion.

PRIMARY BELL ~ The handbell held between thumb and index finger, the "top" bell; SECONDARY BELL ~ the handbell held under the primary bell.

KNUCKLE GRIP ~ Alternative grip to holding 2 bells with fingers completely around both handles. Holding the primary bell in hand, pick up the secondary bell's handle (near the screws) between the knuckles of index and third fingers, touching fingernails with your thumb on the inside of the secondary bell's handle. Benefits: quicker pick up, more secure hold, more flexibility in ringing, ability to ring larger bells in hand.

NOTATION

Two-in-hand: G/A left hand, G over A or G through handle of A

B\C right hand, C over B or C through handle of B

Shelley: G6//G7 left hand, G6 over G7

A7\\A6 right hand, A6 over A7

S = shelley S+ = shelley plus S- = shelley minus AS = alternate shelley

For further help, please contact: vbronze@pacbell.net

Christine Anderson is a concert artist, composer/arranger, clinician, conductor, and author living in Frazier Park, California.