A piano is one instrument with 88 keys (52 white, 36 black). Typically, one 
person reads many notes on piano music to create rhythmic patterns aimed to please the audience. I’m not a piano player, but I admire the pianist’s skills not only with their hands, but their ability to read and play so many notes on a page. Yet, a piano is one instrument played by one person.
Bands and orchestras are large groups of different instruments working together as a unit to create a complex musical sound. However, just like the piano, each member is responsible for one instrument – and their music typically displays the notes for one instrument. Therefore, it is the conductor’s responsibility to bring the instrumentation of the ensemble together to please the audience.
Although they also produce music for an audience, handbells are different because they are one instrument that multiple people play together. I imagine you never thought of a handbell choir being one instrument, but it is – Therefore, this post aims to explain this single instrument with its numerous freestanding pieces.
For starters, the number of bells in a choir varies depending on the number of 
members and their skills. One handbell is the equivalent to one key on the piano. In our choir, that’s about 60 bells for 13-14 people – but every song doesn’t require every bell. (Note: If we had the players and money, we could add about 36 more bells.) Occasionally, music also requires some players to use handchimes, which I will work in later.
For those thinking that piano music looks busy, handbell music is more so because composers place all the notes for the entire choir together. Yep – that means the player must have the ability to locate their notes among the jungle. (I’m responsible for 2-4 notes/bells).
Besides the all the notes and standard information as key, tempo, and dynamics, handbell music has additional marking for the techniques that create a variety of sounds. Terms include marts, ring touch, let vibrate, mallets, plucks, echoes, damp, mart lifts, swings, gyros, shakes, mallet rolls, and more. (Yep, symbols for each technique.) Players can also adjust the hardness of the clamper inside the bell. (The soft setting sound is mellow, while the hard setting sound is bright; and, there is an in-between setting.
See this short (less than 2 minutes) video demonstrating some techniques.
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Just like other musical ensembles, the conductor has the responsibility of bringing it all together – but with handbells, the conductor orchestrates multiple people playing one instrument – quite the challenge! Now watch this video to see everything come together in a short, spurt of madness from Ring of Fire! (Watch for the different techniques.)
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Earlier, I mentioned handchimes. Like handbells, its one handchime per note – but they produce a different sound. Besides handchimes, handbell choirs may incorporate other instruments. We have played with piano, organ, trumpet, violin, flute, drums, contrabass bars, other percussion, and singers.
In closing, I hope this has helped you understand what is involved, so now enjoy the Raleigh Ringers with handbells, handchimes, cello, flute, and mallet chimes – and notice all the bells behind them that are not used in this piece. Ah yes, who would have imagined that the complexity of one instrument.
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Note: Special thanks to Madam Weebles for the thought triggering this post.
Fantastic – I listened several times over!!!
Clan,
Glad you got to experience the wide range of stuff in this post. Thanks for stopping by.
Reminds me of the time when, after having played a simple early-electronic organ, somebody tried to talk me into playing an honest-to-God church pipe organ – complete with foot bellows! Kinda reminded me of those people in the 60s and 70s entertainment shows, spinning the plates on sticks. You don’t need to be on both coke and speed, but it sure as heck helps!
John.
Love the organ story. Meanwhile, our rehearsals can play with your head. Meanwhile, I know you want to see this. Thanks for commenting.
Actually, I got to see a little of this on Thanksgiving Day! WGN, a major station back in Chicago, has played a retrospective of its’ three most famous shows every year on Thanksgiving, one of them being “Bozo’s Circus” which regularly featured such acts. One of the other shows, “Garfield Goose and Friends”, was where I first saw “Clutch Cargo”!
Thanks, I appreciate the thoughtfulness!
Bozo from Chicago is a classic too!
I was more of a “Garfield Goose” and “Ray Rayner” guy myself. Ray’s morning battles with do-it-yourself projects looked like Navy SEALS assaulting a craft store – and Ray ALWAYS lost. And his meetings with his nemesis “Chelveston” the duck were worthy of the Three Stooges!
(Hmm…. a thought occurs. A joint post, you featuring your favourite morning show as a kid, me with Ray, exchanged between blogs – even though my readership is just a microcosm of yours. As a certain science officer often said, “Fascinating”…..)
(Sigh.) Thanks, Frank, now I’m good and homesick! Dang you anyway!
I played handbells when I was in junior high and high school at my church. Loved it. But now it’s been so many years, I wouldn’t dare pick one up for fear of running people off.
Carrie,
Given that you have that in your background, you may surprise yourself on how quickly it may come back. Did you play other instruments at the time? Thanks for sharing.
I also play piano, but again, I’m rusty at this point. My Christmas songs don’t sound so mistake-free anymore.
And I used to play Clarinet years ago.
Ah yes … but music is in your background .. which to me means, you would be surprised how fast you could fit into a handbell choir!
ohhh I love the sound of the handbells – at Christmas time especially. I used to play the oboe – in the orchestra so the intricacies of all the instruments and such together are not a big mystery to me but the handbell choir – i like how you defined it as one instrument – I never thought of it as such but it makes the beauty of the music even more magical.
Lizzie,
Cheers to your musical past. Interesting how many people relate handbell music to Christmas time, yet handbell choirs play all types of music. I recall a concert I heard last summer that involved different musical genre. BTW – I have a Handbell category if you want more. … Oh, because you are a newbie and have music in your background, I’ll give you this one. http://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2011/10/19/on-an-unexpected-day/ … thanks for visiting and commenting.
The intricacies involved in handbell choir really blow a hole through Chuck Berry’s Johnny B. Goode lyric, “But he could play the guitar just like a ringing a bell.”
i think the intent of that line from chuck is that, for johnny, he was so talented with a guitar that it took no more effort to play the guitar than it did for him to ring a bell. but perhaps you know that and i’m misinterpreting what you meant. yeah, that’s likely it. i should go back and delete this.
nah.
Lame,
Great word – intricacies – because that is one of my points. To help out Chuck Berry, he must have been referring just ringing a bell, but not one in a handbell choir. Thanks for stopping by.
Yes, I know that. It was just supposed to be a simple and silly comment. Oy.
Ah yes … but simple and silly turned into poignant.
Beautiful.
Elyse,
Many thanks.
i can’t even comprehend what one must know in order to comprehend even beginning to play a piano. i just see black and white rectangles, which only increases my admiration for those who can play.
Rich,
In my musical background, I’ve always read my music … my one line. But piano players read two lines at the same time … and keep in mind that one’s eyes can only focus on one point at a time … but that in itself throws me for a loop. Thanks for sharing your musical abilities.
my musical abilities consist of pushing “play” and morning gas. and afternoon. and…
LMAO!!!
i wonder if you could have combined this with a post about “88 fingers Louie” from the Flintstones.
Here ya go …. http://allthingswitham.blogspot.com/2008/07/we-salute-another-flintstones-character.html
This is a fascinating post. Thank you so much.
Shimon,
Given your appreciation for music and your lack of awareness of handbell music (I recall from a past comment), I’m not surprised that you enjoyed this post. Thanks for stopping by.
soooooo beautiful, fascinated me! I wanted to be there too
Thank you dear Frank, you made my day this morning. Blessing and Happiness, love, nia
Nia,
I’m so happy that you appreciated this post, and many thanks for reblogging this … and cheers to your continual kindness.
Reblogged this on photographyofnia.
Wonderful Frank!
TBM,
Thanks for taking the time with this musical drivel.
…as a musician I find it intriguing and can’t help but admire the conductor’s job!!!!
Marina,
Conductors for all groups can make a difference. In our case, she has made us better and we continue to grow! .. and your instrument? Thanks for commenting.
Piano & voice!
You are very welcome!!!! I understand completely what you mean by her making you all better! Wonderful experience indeed!
Cheers to your musicality … and thanks for sharing.
It sounds so beautiful and I admire the people who are able to play such harmonies.
Colline,
Glad you appreciate this, and thanks for commenting.
A very interesting post, Frank, and with lovely music too. I find reading piano music is easy, but that because I had a good grounding as a child.I suppose it’s the same as learning any language. I’d never really thought about handbell choirs until I found your blog. The conductor of any orchestra has my utmost respect. I love this quote by art and music writer, Christopher Andreae, “He is not all musician; he is also part bus conductor in charge of a moving vehicle, who dutifully hurries people off and onto it at designated intervals.” It’s a very responsible job, and he has to be really good at it, or total chaos could ensue.
Paradise,
Well said about the conductor, and I love the quote. Because I know you play the piano, I was hoping you would add something … so thank you. Meanwhile, I know you probably watched the 3 videos as well … and how about that craziness in the second one! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Can’t begin to tell you how much I liked this post.
Thanks!
Doggy,
Many thanks. Many people don’t recall the intricate nature involved with handbells. I recall someone telling me how much they appreciated seeing a demo on the different techniques … which they thought, as an audience member, helped them appreciate the performance. Thanks for commenting.
Your post advances the cause of music education at a fundamental level. Thanks for pointing out the connection between the piano keyboard, where one person is capable of playing the melodies and harmonies at the same time (plus percussion sounds/rhythms on digital keyboards), and the instrumental ensemble where one person is assigned to play single lines of music, or in the case of the bell choir, a few notes within a single line.
It has been my experience teaching music in the public schools that people who have not been trained in music, for example some of the parents of students in band, orchestra, choir, and electronic music classes, look upon such connections as almost magical. I feel the same when I hear someone speaking a foreign language or observe a mathematician utilizing complex equations.
Tim,
Thanks for sharing many great points through your experiences. Interestingly, music, spoken words, and mathematics are each languages expressing messages in different manners. Thanks for commenting.
great post. I have always enjoyed handbells, but now I have a much better appreciation for what is happening!
Nancy,
Awesome. My aim here was to inform about the complexities that many may not know … so glad that I was successful … well, at least in your eyes. Thanks for commenting.
Fascinating post. Thanks!
Hook,
… and thanks for stopping by!
When I did cubicle life, we had a lady who played handbells in her church. She would get extremely nervous when it was ‘performance’ night. She would gush about it all day long…we would tease her constantly, “You are just ringing a bell!” (it was all in good nature and she always laughed), but I see from your post there is a lot more to it than just ringing a bell – a definite skill. Enjoyed the post and the vidoes. (me, 4 years of clarinet, as a kid)
Hood,
Glad I was able to elevate your understanding. An yes, I’ve heard similar comments!
As a side note, handbell music is rated in terms of difficulty from 1 (easiest) to 6 … and with incremental + and – … so the music itself starts to get complex around level 3. Then again, hearing a difficult from a choir that has no business playing it is another story. Thanks for sharing and commenting!
That’s simply amazing! A piano player’s fingers are the orchestra in itself when only playing on his own. I use to play piano, back in the day. What an interesting blog!
Java,
Piano players amaze me, and can take the listener on a journey. On the other hand, they need use all the fingers to move about the keyboard …. whereas the handbells are the keyboard, but 2 hands control a small number, while everyone’s hands have to work in rhythm. Thanks for commenting.
Last video was great. The piano may be difficult but anything involving the coordination of lots of people – well I think that’s even harder.
Fasab,
The coordination of people is a great phrase. As one can tell in the second and third video, members work together as one to play the one instrument. My analogies are just that, but not to say one is harder than the other – but I just wanted to share with others what handbells actually are – one instrument with many moving parts. Thanks for commenting.
Not playing any instrument what so ever – when younger I wanted to play piano .. but none left over in Sunday school, so I had to practice on the organ, enjoyed for a couple of years. Not really my thing.
Very fascinating for me this with handbells – you brought that into my world. Thanks … that video from Sarajevo wonderful .
Viveka,
Glad I was able to tap into your musical appreciation with a a little bit about handbell world. Glad you enjoyed the videos … and the Sarajevo one is beautiful! Thanks for stopping by.
Frank, I have learned so much since I started blogging … ending up in very interesting worlds every day.
Viveka,
I’m right with you regarding learning and how much I’ve learned because of blogging. Well said!!!! … and how was the Noble Prize ceremony?
Lacking even the slightest musical skill myself, I’m completely in awe and appreciation for those who do possess this gift. Thanks Frank for a wonderful introduction. The videos are great!
Alex,
An interesting instrument. Because I feature handbells, I thought it was about time for some 101 information. Glad you enjoyed the videos and thanks for visiting.
I just love the bells. really good post!
Mouse,
Just trying to get people to understand them a bit more … especially with more bell videos coming soon. Thanks for visiting.
One doesn’t think of a choir of handbells as one instrument, but of course their are. Must be quite a challenge to synchronize all the bells in a choir – or more precisely the people behind the bells. Thanks for an informative post.
Otto,
Once I figured the one instrument theme, writing this post was easy. My aim was to help people understand what is really going on, so it seemed to work. “Synchronization” is a great word. Our director constantly mentions about blending your bells with the others … which also means at the same volume and quality of sound. To increase the challenge, some bells are naturally brighter than others, let alone the ringing method differences between ringers … some are naturally louder or softer than others .. thus part of the challenge. Thanks for sharing your thoughtful insight!
I can’t even begin to tell you how I wish I were more musical. I swear, I can play nothing. Sad. Not my gift, but I DO love to listen!
Hugs,
Kathy
Kathy,
At least you have an appreciation for music, so that’s great!!! Thanks for stopping by.
Yay, the long-awaited handbell post! Thank you so much for posting this, Frank. I never knew handbell musical notation was so complicated. I’m terrible at sight reading *piano* music, I think I’d be hopeless at doing handbells—especially since I’d have to watch out for my notes in the middle of the whole sheet of music! Gives me even more respect for handbell ringers now. Right on, Frank!!
Weebs,
I’m not a good sight reader, so I know your pain … but once I get the flow, I get into the feel. For an upcoming Christmas Eve piece, I told the player beside me that I was a syncopated type of guy. (I had the feel, while some others were struggling with the rhythms.
Another tip – to get one’s notes to stand out, highlighters are wonderful aids. Orange for one natural, green for another, pink/blue/purple for the accidentals. Actually this is the first year most of us are going without the markers.
Glad you saw this and thanks for the inspiration!
It all sounds much too complicated for me, Frank. Glad my parents forced the piano on me (I rebelled by taking up the violin briefly but the noise of a child learning the violin was apparently too much for the neighbors to handle). I think I’ll pass this post on to M who plays percussion and is currently teaching himself to play what he calls “bells” (looks like a xylophone to me). He’s quite proficient at the triangle, drums, cymbals, and all those other percussion things that require one to synchronize. Seriously (because I was being a bit lighthearted there), I am in awe of those of you who play handbells (and although it sounds trite in some way but not meant that way, my husband’s best friend is part of handbell choir. Pretty awesome stuff.
Robin,
This would be good for M to see because some people actually put handbells in the percussion family! You are not being trite at all. I just figured it was time to explain more of this stuff because it isn’t simple. Let me know what he thinks. Thanks for commenting.
Thanks for that primer on handebelling, Frank.
One thing you don’t note in the differences between handbell and piano, is that one driven soul can be a piano wizard.
A handbell orchestra doesn’t really work unless a whole bunch of people wed themselves to the same purpose.
How can beautiful music not come out of that?
Guapo,
I know what you mean in the comparison. I tried to do so, but obviously not clear enough. On a similar thought, individual players are at different skill levels, so you can imagine how good some of the audition-based groups are – such as in the bottom two videos.
You mention a handbell orchestra. Interesting, many choirs get together at some conventions. For instance, I did play in one with over 640 other players! … definitely different. Nonetheless, I thought readers here needed a primer to understand what is really going on in handbell world. Thanks for commenting!
Hey Guap … listen to this one … scroll down a little on the link for the audio.
http://www.hopepublishing.com/html/main.isx?sitesec=1.2.4.0&workid=3580&browser=
This is a great rendition. Thanks for posting it.
Cayman,
Just hoping to get others to better understand the instrument so in order to increase appreciation for the music.
More cowbell?
Seashells,
LOL … sorry no cowbells .. but, I’m sure there are arrangements for handbells that include cowbells! Thanks for visiting.
I love Christmas Eve Sarajevo. I have the recording, but haven’t seen the performance. This was beautiful. I play piano, but have always wished I took another instrument to have the enjoyment of playing with a group. In another life I would have loved to be the conductor. I just know I want the music all around me, and as loud as possible!
I think the handbell choir would be fantastic. I would enjoy the challenge!
Debra,
I agree, Christmas Eve Sarajevo is a wonderful tune! Ah ha … as a piano player you know that handbell music would be hectic – thus probably would require at two pianists. I think every musician dreams of conducting sometime! Thanks for commenting.
Awesome article!! I always tend to forget how foreign bells are to non-bell people. I remember this one time we were working with the conductor of our local philharmonic for a performance we were going to do with them, and half way through the rehearsal (when we were ringing a particularly tricky set of runs) she put down her arms and said something to the effect of “I never realized until just now how incredibly difficult it is to play runs on handbells”. So even well trained, seasoned musicians don’t understand our instrument.
Derek,
Thanks so much for dropping by to add to this. Several years ago we hosted a small, multi-choir concert/festival. Part of the program, our conductor did a short presentation on techniques, which our choir demonstrated. My friends who attended loved it because they never knew … and I’ve always remembered that.
Runs, in the level of music, that the top groups do have to be incredibly difficult! Cheers for being able to do that!!!! Thanks for visiting and adding to this post!
Having played piano since I was 8, I can tell you that reading the music becomes rather like reading a book… if you stare at each note/letter individually you get lost, but all together it makes sense.
But yet again, you enlighten me, as until now I thought Christmas Eve in Sarajevo was written by Trans-Siberian Orchestra (they do a wonderful rendition! I’m surprised nobody mentioned it).
I would think that most people would associate that song with TSO … but according to Wikipedia, it was written & recorded in 1995.
Thanks for explaining reading piano music … which actually explains a lot to me. Thanks for sharing!!!
I haven’t been doing much blogging recently – many thanks for inviting me to the concert Frank. The music is so beautiful and it’s so fascinating to watch the musicians, it’s left me speechless….
– I enjoyed the little lesson in how the different sounds are made with the bells
– cannot imagine how the conductor synchronizes it all
– was fascinated to watch the woman ringing the “long sticks” that sound like church bells
– and the bells played like drums….
Rosie,
I let you know about this post because I knew you would enjoy it.
The “long sticks” are the handchimes … the longer they are, the lower the note. Actually, in the last video, you can see some of largest chimes, which actually never get picked up – but are struck in place.
Watching the different techniques helps understand the different sounds that handbells can produce … and in the second video, one can see many techniques in their madness.
Thanks for stopping by Rosie and commenting.
[...] special note to A Frank Angle – Handbells? your post the other day reminded me of this song as a reflection of the holiday spirit. And [...]
This is the most I’ve ever enjoyed Christmas music. Thanks. You also made me curious to learn more about the use of bells in music. Amazing.
Rachel,
Glad to have sparked an interest in handbells, which is not limited to Christmas music. By the way, I have a handbells category in the sidebar. Thanks for commenting.
I’m in awe of anyone with even a shred of musical talent. Thanks for the link back Frank, The bells are an art form in their own right.
Kanerva,
Given that you mentioned have little understanding of the instrument, I figured this past post would help. As a friend recently told me, there’s a difference between those who ring bells and those playing bells. But as you can tell on the videos, there can be much going on.
I hope you share more of your choir in the future !
Here’s one.