12 Bells/6 Ringers

General Comments about Music for 12 Bells

A recurring question posted on Handbell-L asks why the music published for twelve bells is scored for C5 through G6. In the variety of answers offered, the majority of opinions were divided between two points of view regarding the most useful range for twelve-bell music. The primary considerations of the two main options are listed below.

OPTION #1 - uses C5 through G6 with no sharps or flats

• Is playable by groups with a 2-octave set of bells
• Requires only the natural notes, making it useful in the United Kingdom where the high cost of bells prohibits many choirs from purchasing a full chromatic set of bells.

• Does not conform to standard assignments; when each ringer rings two consecutive bells, (CD, EF, GA, BC, DE, FG) the standard assignments are "out of kilter" by one staff degree
• Fits standard assignments for 5 ringers (DE, FG, AB, CD, EF) only if one ringer rings non-consecutive bells (C5+G6)

OPTION #2 - uses D5 through A6 in a variety of keys

• Lays naturally for the standard assignments (DE, FG, AB, CD, EF, GA)
• Does not require bell changes as long as the music is strictly diatonic

• Requires a 3-octave set of bells to accommodate the A6
• Is not accessible for groups with only 1-1/2 or 2 octaves
• Requires a chromatic set of bells even for music with no bell changes

Consensus of Opinions Derived from the Survey

The responses to our informal survey clearly indicated a small market for music scored for standard ringing assignments. To accommodate this need the Dare Team Press has published two new collections for 6 ringers.

We have designated these collections as music for 6 ringers to distinguish them from the customary 12-bell music scored for the natural notes C5 – G6.

Title	Bell Range	Level	Price	Item No.
More Music for Six	Bb4-F6	1 & 2	$4.25	DT-1024
Dawn of a New Day	D5-A6	1 & 2	$4.25	DT-1023

Click the title to download a miniature score.
Click the item number to hear the music.

Page updated on February 19, 2009