As I write this, I’m sitting in a meeting about handbells and realized that we haven’t discussed practical aspects of worship much. Today, is about handbells.
Though I’m told by people I’m sitting with there are community handbell groups and elementary schools who ring bells, we don’t hear handbells much outside of a worship setting. Most of us don’t really know what to do with a handbell group, outside of playing something at the Offering or Prelude. In fact, this is such a problem that Bill Mathis wrote 3 volumes of a manual/guide book called After the Prelude. These resources are broken into the three lectionary years and provides good examples of extra uses of handbells in a non-anthem manner. This, however, is not a review of that book.
During more solemn times of the year, i.e. Advent & Lent, use chimes/bells to lead the Psalm. One could ring a peal in between the verses and the antiphon (especially if you are chanting the psalm). After the peal, ring a “chord” like D,E,G,A, if the reciting tone is an A. Then the choir, assembly, or soloist can continue the Psalm.
Some readings, like Samuel’s calling, lend themselves to the use of handbells. They can set apart sections or parts of the reading effectively. For example, when God is calling Samuel, a cluster chord, like the one from above, could be used to at the same time as the name Samuel is spoken. This can add aural interest to the reading.
Handbells are great for hymn or song accompanying, especially if there’s a way to do a handbell descant. If you can write or find a descant for the song, play that the last time through a song. Also, do not underestimate the power of random ringing. This can add excitement to such greats as “Jesus Christ is Risen Today!” or any pentatonic melody. Random ringing is rarely random, so please practice it so that the ringers do not play on the beats. Also, use this sparingly, it gets old quickly.
Handbells are interesting instruments, because they are “never” out of tune. This means that the quality of music can be great even with newer ringers, providing that the ringers are strong enough to ring the bell or chime effectively. Meaning that these ideas could be used by adults or children or families.
Mind you, this list is not exhaustive, but hopefully proves helpful. Would anyone like more specific examples? Anyone have other ideas?
1 comments:
Thanks for this, Sean. I know I personally am more drawn to the "theoretical" aspects of worship, and tend to forget those practical suggestions.
To add to your list, handbells work great on any of the hymns based on chant melodies (O Come O Come Emmanuel, Creator of the Stars of Night, Of the Father's Love Begotten, Thee We Adore, etc.). Peals would work well on any pentatonic hymns (Amazing Grace, Brethren We Have Met to Worship, How Firm a Foundation, etc.). Random ringing would also lend itself very well to hymns about the Holy Spirit (like God of Tempest, God of Whirlwind). Combined with a melodic instrument, handbells would serve as a wonderful way to lead most of the Taize repertoire.
Post a Comment