How Handbells Work and Ringing Techniques
Handbells are unique musical instruments that combine percussive striking with carefully tuned
harmonics to create a rich, resonant sound. They are not merely bells that are rung at random;
they are precision-crafted instruments with a complex acoustic and technical basis.
Here is a detailed explanation of how they work, their overtones, and the various techniques
used to play them.
a.) How Handbells Work
A handbell is essentially a tuned bronze casting with a handle and an internal clapper.
● The Casting: The bell's body is cast from bronze, which is a specific alloy (usually
copper and tin) that is ideal for producing a rich, resonant tone. The casting is precisely
shaped to produce a specific fundamental pitch.
● The Clapper: The clapper is a small, weighted ball on a flexible shaft inside the bell. It is
designed to strike the inside of the bell's casting to produce the sound. The clapper's
head is often made of a hard plastic or leather, and it can move in a single plane, which
allows for precise and consistent striking.
● The Handle: The handbell's handle is an integral part of the instrument, as it allows the
ringer to hold the bell and control its motion. The handle is often covered in leather or
another soft material to provide a comfortable grip.
When a ringer swings the bell, the clapper strikes the inside wall of the bell's casting, causing
the bronze to vibrate and produce a sound.
b.) Overtones and Tuning
Unlike many percussion instruments, which produce a single, distinct pitch, handbells are
meticulously tuned to produce not only a fundamental pitch but also a series of harmonic
overtones. A high-quality handbell is tuned to a fundamental pitch, but also its major third and
perfect fifth overtones. This complex tuning is what gives a handbell its signature warm,
shimmering, and full sound. This is also why an ensemble of handbells playing a simple chord
sounds so rich and full; the individual bells are designed to resonate with each other and blend
harmonically.
c.) Basic Ringing Techniques
The basic technique for ringing a handbell is precise and deliberate.
1.) Ringing:
● Hold the bell firmly with your hand positioned so the clapper is resting against the side of
the casting closest to your body. This is called the "ready position."
● In a smooth motion, swing your arm forward and up, so the bell makes a full arc. The
clapper will swing and strike the bell at the top of the arc, producing a single, clear tone.
● After the ring, bring the bell back to the "ready position."
2.) Dampening:
● Dampening is the act of stopping the bell's vibration after it has been rung. This is crucial
for articulation, clarity, and silence.
● To dampen, the ringer brings the bell back to their body after the ring, allowing the bell's
casting to touch their shoulder or upper chest. This immediately stops the vibration and
silences the note.
d.) Advanced Ringing Techniques
Advanced handbell ensembles use a variety of techniques to create different musical effects
and textures.
1.) Four-in-Hand:
This technique allows a single ringer to play two bells in each hand simultaneously, for a total of
four bells. It is used to play chords or arpeggios that would otherwise require two ringers. The
bells are held so that the second bell's handle is wedged between the ringer's palm and the first
bell's handle. The ringer can then either tap the bell's clapper with their thumb or make a quick,
controlled shake of the wrist to ring the second bell while simultaneously ringing the first bell.
2.) Shelley Ringing:
Named after its inventor, Donald Shelley, this technique is a variation of four-in-hand that is
primarily used for playing chords. The ringer holds two bells in each hand, but they are not rung
with a traditional swing. Instead, they are rung by a series of controlled wrist movements,
allowing for rapid chord changes and a crisp, staccato sound.
3.) Bell Trees:
A bell tree is a stand that holds a series of bells in a vertical arrangement, typically for a single
ringer. The ringer uses a mallet to strike the bells, creating a glissando or a series of single
notes in a fast succession. The technique is often used for a cascading, harp-like effect.
4.) Other Advanced Techniques:
● Malleting: Striking the outside of the bell with a mallet, either while it is on a table or held
in the hand. This produces a percussive, short sound with a quick attack.
● Plucking: Pressing the clapper into the casting with a thumb and then quickly pulling it
away. This creates a very short, almost muted sound, similar to a plucked string on a
string instrument.
● Skating: A ringer holds two handbells in one hand and "skates" them together in a fast
motion to create a shivering, metallic sound.
These various techniques, combined with the precision tuning of the instruments, allow handbell
choirs to produce a truly unique and beautiful soundscape.