Hand bell
A hand bell is a bell that is carried in the hand and functions as a musical instrument or as a signal generator to attract attention.
origin
Handbells were first mentioned in 1600 BC. In China. As a result of the Crusades, the handbells became known in Europe. They were first mentioned in music in the 13th century. Presumably, because of their pure sound, they were used on ceremonial occasions.
The playing of melodies on handbells originated in England in the 17th century from change ringing , carillons that consisted of a large series of bells weighing kilograms to tons and hung in the tower. It was usually performed on twelve handbells. In the course of time handbells were technically developed further. Handbell choirs were created and the instrument reached its peak in the middle of the 18th century. The choirs' repertoire included operetta melodies , but also popular music of the time. After the First World War , hand chimes were increasingly forgotten.
distribution
- See also list of handbell choirs
Europe
In Germany, the handbells were introduced by the US occupation forces after the Second World War . The first choirs were formed in the 1980s. Nevertheless, the hand chimes are largely unknown in Germany.
There are handbell choirs in Germany e.g. B. in Caputh near Potsdam, Gotha , Hanover , Wiedensahl and Herford , in Switzerland z. B. in Arni AG and Romanshorn on Lake Constance. The Reformed Church in Zelów has the only handbell choir in Poland.
United States
In the United States of America, the first handbell choirs appeared in circus and vaudeville theater in the 19th century and became widely known. The first handbell choir was founded in Boston in 1895 . In the 20th century, handbells were increasingly used in church services . New playing techniques were developed to continuously improve hand chimes. Nowadays this musical art is enjoying increasing popularity and is also taught in some universities or music schools.
The degree of prevalence in church congregations in the USA is perhaps comparable to that of trumpet choirs in Protestant congregations in Germany.
Asia
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In the Tibetan cult music , handbells ( Sanskrit ghanta , Tibetan dril-bu ) are used. A Tibetan stem hand bell symbolizes the feminine principle of absolute purity. It is held in the left hand, its male counterpart, the Donnenkeil vajra ( dorje ), in the right hand. Ghantas are also part of Hindu temple rituals ( puja ) in India.
In the Buddhist tradition of Myanmar , the kyizi brass striking plate takes on the function of a hand bell during ceremonies in the monastery. It is struck with a wooden mallet at a lower corner and thus set in a rotating movement.
Design
A hand bell consists of a mostly bronze bell with a handle in the form of a loop. The weight varies between a few hundred grams to several kilograms. Inside the bell there is a movable clapper . With English handbells , the clapper only moves in one axis of movement, while with other types of bells the axis of movement is not so restricted. Moving the bell in one direction brings the clapper to the stop.
Also chimes function similarly (English chimes ), which are cheaper to buy and less sensitive and are therefore used primarily for working with children.
Playing style in western music
When playing notes, bells with different pitches are placed in an orderly manner. Gloves are used by the players to protect the bells. Each bell player serves two to eight bells, from which the complete piece of music is composed in the interaction of all players. A total of ten to 15 players are required.
Depending on the value of the note, the bells are guided towards the body in circular movements at different speeds. This requires a great deal of concentration and practice from the player.
With the four in hand technique, two bells are held in one hand at a right angle , which enables them to strike at the same time. By turning the hand, the attack and sound of the bell change. This makes melodies easier to play. Other techniques include the pluck , thump damp, and ring touch . The sound of the bell is shortened by dampening the sound with the thumb or body. When the bell is moved past the body after it has hit it, an echo effect is created under certain postures . Another effect is the shake , in which a trill effect is achieved by shaking the bell vigorously after the stop.
Once the bell has struck and vibrates, it is usually not held still, but carried along in more or less large arm movements (see above). This also creates a “moving” sound for the listener, because the Doppler effects lead to slight fluctuations in pitch and the different orientations of the bell in the room, and thus also relative to the ear, to fluctuations in volume.
See also
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Handbell Choir Wiedensahl - Historical , accessed on April 6, 2011.
- ↑ Handbell Choir Hanover , accessed on April 6, 2011.
- ↑ Handbell Choir Wiedensahl - Handbells , accessed on April 6, 2011.