Bell Instruments: Difference between revisions

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== ~~Scope~~ ==

<div style="font-size:84%">'''[http://www.ChimeMaster.com Home] > [[Chime_Master_Help|Help]] > [[About_bells|bells]]'''</div><br />

* Also see [[Videos of bell ringing]]

== Terms used to represent the number of bells in the instrument ==

Over the centuries, bell founders and campanologists have given names to represent the musical scope and number of bells in a ringing collection.

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If we add a second bell of a different size, we can play the two together to form a simple chord, or if we ring them in sequence we can ring the simplest of melodies: Ding Dong, Dong Ding or other combinations of the two notes.

We use the word ''peal'' as a noun when we refer to a collection of two or more bells that are not installed or fitted for playing musical melodies. We use ''peal'' as a verb when we ring this collection of bells together either by swinging them in a gimbal mounting, or simulating this swinging action using strike timing and other means on bells that are hung on stationary beams.

We use the word ''peal'' as a noun when we refer to a collection of two or more bells that are not installed or fitted for playing musical melodies. See the article titled [[Peal configurations]] for suggested musical intervals useful for ordering a peal of bells. We use ''peal'' as a verb when we ring this collection of bells together either by swinging them in a gimbal mounting, or simulating this swinging action using strike timing and other means on bells that are hung on stationary beams.

See a '''[[Videos_of_bell_ringing|video demonstration]]''' of a three-bell peal.

=== Ring ===

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=== Chime ===

A ''chime'' is a collection of enough bells to perform a song or hymn. While we may find simple tunes such as Amazing Grace that ''could'' be performed on a pentatonic peal of six bells, we reserve the term ''chime'' to represent a collection of bells that can ring a reasonable repertoire of tunes for all seasons.

A '''[[chime]]''' is a collection of enough bells to perform a song or hymn. While we may find simple tunes such as Amazing Grace that ''could'' be performed on a pentatonic peal of six bells, we reserve the term ''chime'' to represent a collection of bells that can ring a reasonable repertoire of tunes for all seasons.

To be useful, the chime should encompass a span of at least one octave (8 diatonic notes). In addition, semitones are often employed to enlarge the number of musical selections that can be played. The most-often added semitone is the minor-seventh. Additionally, many chimes include the sharp-fourth~~. A flat third will be useful for playing ''Beneath the Cross of Jesus''~~.

To be useful, the chime should encompass a span of at least one octave (8 diatonic notes). In addition, semitones are often employed to enlarge the number of musical selections that can be played. The most-often added semitone is the minor-seventh. Additionally, many chimes include the sharp-fourth.

''The Star Spangled Banner'' can be performed on a chime of fourteen bells consisting of twelve diatonic notes, spanning 1-1/2 octaves, plus the sharp fourth and flat seventh. Hundreds of other songs and hymns can be played on this chime instrument.

''The Star Spangled Banner'' can be performed on a chime of fourteen bells consisting of twelve diatonic notes, spanning 1-1/2 octaves, plus the sharp fourth and flat seventh. Hundreds of other songs and hymns can be played on this chime instrument. ''A Mighty Fortress'' requires at least 11 bells with 10 diatonic notes and a flat seventh. A flat third (or sixth) would be nice for playing ''Beneath the Cross of Jesus''.

=== Carillon ===

A '''[[carillon]]''' generally has larger scope and nearly all semitones when compared to a chime. Some instruments in Europe are called carillons if they span 1-1/2 octaves and have all but the lowest two semitones (18 bells).

The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America have defined the minimum carillon to be 23 bells, spanning two octaves and missing only the two lowest semitones. Several grand carillons exist with 65 or more bells.

Tubular tower chime instruments exist which exceed two octaves and have all semitones. While they certainly qualify as a carillon in scope, the type of bells and action keep most people from identifying them as anything other than a chime.

== Terms used to describe the playing action ==

=== Rope pulled tolling hammer ===

The simplest way to play a bell is to pull a rope that is connected to a tolling hammer or clapper.

Care must always be taken, when you ring a bell this way, that the bell is not swinging. Always allow the bell time to come to a full stop before pulling on the tolling rope. If the hammer contacts the bell while it swings, the hammer arm as well as the bell can incur damage. <br>Also be sure to release tension as soon as the hammer contacts the bell. Your bell could be damaged by holding the hammer against the bell as it rings, and it negatively affects the sound of that toll.

=== Traditional manual carillon action ===

A traditional carillon action is a purely mechanical transmission that takes the energy of the players body and uses it to move the clappers to the bell to sound each note of a musical piece. Traditional actions almost always make use mechanical advantage in the form of springs, weights and leverage to move heavy clappers using ordinary mortal physical powers. Additional pneumatic power has historically been used to assist ringing the largest bells on a few instruments.

The manual of the keyboard or part that the player's hands are used to play is made up of keys made in appearance as wooden rods. To these levers are connected the transmission wire, typically made of stainless steel that carries the energy up to the bell chamber.

=== Electric action (Non-Traditional) ===

With electric clappers or hammers, electrical impulses from an electric/MIDI keyboard can be used to ring the bell. An advantage of this system is that anyone who can play a piano can make music on the bells. Recent advances in electric ringing technology allows a more natural playing dynamic to be realized using electric clappers or hammers.

[[Category:Campanology]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-== Scope ==
+<div style="font-size:84%">'''[http://www.ChimeMaster.com Home] > [[Chime_Master_Help|Help]] > [[About_bells|bells]]'''</div><br />
+* Also see [[Videos of bell ringing]]
+== Terms used to represent the number of bells in the instrument ==
 Over the centuries, bell founders and campanologists have given names to represent the musical scope and number of bells in a ringing collection.
@@ Line 11: / Line 14: @@
 If we add a second bell of a different size, we can play the two together to form a simple chord, or if we ring them in sequence we can ring the simplest of melodies: Ding Dong, Dong Ding or other combinations of the two notes.
-We use the word ''peal'' as a noun when we refer to a collection of two or more bells that are not installed or fitted for playing musical melodies. We use ''peal'' as a verb when we ring this collection of bells together either by swinging them in a gimbal mounting, or simulating this swinging action using strike timing and other means on bells that are hung on stationary beams.
+We use the word ''peal'' as a noun when we refer to a collection of two or more bells that are not installed or fitted for playing musical melodies. See the article titled [[Peal configurations]] for suggested musical intervals useful for ordering a peal of bells. We use ''peal'' as a verb when we ring this collection of bells together either by swinging them in a gimbal mounting, or simulating this swinging action using strike timing and other means on bells that are hung on stationary beams.
+See a '''[[Videos_of_bell_ringing|video demonstration]]''' of a three-bell peal.
 === Ring ===
@@ Line 25: / Line 30: @@
 === Chime ===
-A ''chime'' is a collection of enough bells to perform a song or hymn. While we may find simple tunes such as Amazing Grace that ''could'' be performed on a pentatonic peal of six bells, we reserve the term ''chime'' to represent a collection of bells that can ring a reasonable repertoire of tunes for all seasons.
+A '''[[chime]]''' is a collection of enough bells to perform a song or hymn. While we may find simple tunes such as Amazing Grace that ''could'' be performed on a pentatonic peal of six bells, we reserve the term ''chime'' to represent a collection of bells that can ring a reasonable repertoire of tunes for all seasons.
-To be useful, the chime should encompass a span of at least one octave (8 diatonic notes). In addition, semitones are often employed to enlarge the number of musical selections that can be played. The most-often added semitone is the minor-seventh. Additionally, many chimes include the sharp-fourth. A flat third will be useful for playing ''Beneath the Cross of Jesus''.
+To be useful, the chime should encompass a span of at least one octave (8 diatonic notes). In addition, semitones are often employed to enlarge the number of musical selections that can be played. The most-often added semitone is the minor-seventh. Additionally, many chimes include the sharp-fourth.
-''The Star Spangled Banner'' can be performed on a chime of fourteen bells consisting of twelve diatonic notes, spanning 1-1/2 octaves, plus the sharp fourth and flat seventh. Hundreds of other songs and hymns can be played on this chime instrument.
+''The Star Spangled Banner'' can be performed on a chime of fourteen bells consisting of twelve diatonic notes, spanning 1-1/2 octaves, plus the sharp fourth and flat seventh. Hundreds of other songs and hymns can be played on this chime instrument. ''A Mighty Fortress'' requires at least 11 bells with 10 diatonic notes and a flat seventh. A flat third (or sixth) would be nice for playing ''Beneath the Cross of Jesus''.
 === Carillon ===
+A '''[[carillon]]''' generally has larger scope and nearly all semitones when compared to a chime. Some instruments in Europe are called carillons if they span 1-1/2 octaves and have all but the lowest two semitones (18 bells).
+The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America have defined the minimum carillon to be 23 bells, spanning two octaves and missing only the two lowest semitones. Several grand carillons exist with 65 or more bells.
+Tubular tower chime instruments exist which exceed two octaves and have all semitones. While they certainly qualify as a carillon in scope, the type of bells and action keep most people from identifying them as anything other than a chime.
+== Terms used to describe the playing action ==
+=== Rope pulled tolling hammer ===
+The simplest way to play a bell is to pull a rope that is connected to a tolling hammer or clapper.
+Care must always be taken, when you ring a bell this way, that the bell is not swinging. Always allow the bell time to come to a full stop before pulling on the tolling rope. If the hammer contacts the bell while it swings, the hammer arm as well as the bell can incur damage. <br>Also be sure to release tension as soon as the hammer contacts the bell. Your bell could be damaged by holding the hammer against the bell as it rings, and it negatively affects the sound of that toll.
+=== Traditional manual carillon action ===
+A traditional carillon action is a purely mechanical transmission that takes the energy of the players body and uses it to move the clappers to the bell to sound each note of a musical piece. Traditional actions almost always make use mechanical advantage in the form of springs, weights and leverage to move heavy clappers using ordinary mortal physical powers. Additional pneumatic power has historically been used to assist ringing the largest bells on a few instruments.
+The manual of the keyboard or part that the player's hands are used to play is made up of keys made in appearance as wooden rods. To these levers are connected the transmission wire, typically made of stainless steel that carries the energy up to the bell chamber.
+=== Electric action (Non-Traditional) ===
+With electric clappers or hammers, electrical impulses from an electric/MIDI keyboard can be used to ring the bell. An advantage of this system is that anyone who can play a piano can make music on the bells. Recent advances in electric ringing technology allows a more natural playing dynamic to be realized using electric clappers or hammers.
 [[Category:Campanology]]