Category: Handchimes

Handchimes with Choral Music

Handchimes accompany voices beautifully.  Even if you own handbells, consider using handchimes with a choral anthem.  Their resonant sound will lead to a powerful performance when added to a choral ensemble.  Undeniably, there are times when handbells are more appropriate as on Easter Sunday with SATB voices, brass and organ however, there are times when the simplicity of handchimes is the perfect choice.

 

Because of their design, handchimes produce the purest of tones.  Depending on the tube shape (square is best), no other instrument has so few overtones.  This is a useful quality when working with younger musicians as children will be able to hear the pitch of the handchimes easily and this will be helpful with intonation.  Sometimes, when handbells are used to accompany choral anthems, the overtones present in the handbell sound may confuse the children when finding pitches.

 

The softer, vibrating aluminum tines of handchimes produces a mellower tone which does not overpower the youngers voices.  The tone of the handchimes is ever present but not too bright or obtrusive.

 

In a two-part or SSA choral setting with handbells, the prominent fundamental pitch may be welcome without the overtones to “ground” the sound, providing a richer foundation.

 

SATB voices will welcome the sustain of handchimes to their music when singing slower tempos with sustained phrases.  The ethereal sound of handchimes will provide musical line and add a rich thread of sound.

 

If you have a favorite anthem with a simple keyboard part, consider replacing the keyboard setting with handchimes as in this setting of Babylon Canon arranged by Roger Emerson as performed here by the Westminster Choir College Concert Bell Choir.

Choosing the Right Repertoire for Handchime Ensembles

One of the keys to having a successful handchime program is the repertoire that you choose.  Handbell literature is used with handchimes however, not all music written for handbells can be rung on handchimes.  Two main factors to consider are:

  • Tempo – Because of the pure tone and resonance of handchimes along with their design, moderate tempos are most desirable on handchimes. The mellow tone of handchimes takes a bit longer to “speak” than handbells.  Quicker tempos will also cause the handchimes to sound too percussive with undesirable sounds of the attack of the clapper head.  Quicker tempos can also lead to incomplete damping which will cause unwanted dissonance.

 

  • Ringing Techniques – Not all ringing techniques and articulations that are performed on handbells may be performed on handchimes due to the design and fragile nature of the tines of the handchime tube. The following techniques that may be used are:  Ring, Damp, Finger Damp, Gyro, LV, Swing, Vibrato and a Mallet Strike (while the handchime is held) in the air.  Click here to learn more about ringing techniques on handchimes.  Other considerations in choosing repertoire for a musical result are:

 

Octaves Used and Assignments

Each piece in handbell literature designates the size set of instruments for which it is written.  Be sure to choose repertoire that your number of ringers can play musically rather than by the set of instruments you have available.  For instance, if you own a three octave (37 note) set of handchimes but only have 8 ringers, choose music written for 2 or 2 – 3 octaves to ensure that your group can ring musically and not “juggle” instruments just to “get” all the notes.  Once you have chosen a piece, the director should prepare the score and assign the handchimes so that all notes can be rung musically.  Learn more about handbell assignments here.

 

Level

Handbell music is graded by six different levels so that it is easier for a director to choose repertoire.  Directors are encouraged to choose music levels that meet the skills of their ringers so that musical results are met and that the ringers have an opportunity to enjoy their own performance.  To learn more about the Handbell Difficulty Level System, click here.

 

Genre and Topic of Music

When choosing a score, take in to account the age and experience of your ringers as well as their personalities.  Consider that perhaps based on life experiences, adults may relate to a somber piece better than a child.  With training, almost any age should be able to ring almost anything but sometimes, it is best to meet your group at their comfort level to create success and introduce the unknown as your group progresses.

 

Composers and Arrangers

Do you have experience with a piece that “rang itself off the page?”  If so, it may be the skills of the arranger/composer.  Ringing a piece by someone who really understands the instrument makes all the difference in the world!  Look to other compositions they have scored for further success!

 

For suggestions of repertoire that your handchime ensemble will enjoy and meet ringing success with, browse the titles that we, at ChimeWorks, recommend!

 

Share and Earn

Earn Extra Income for Your Expertise

As the school year is winding down and you begin to assess the year, are there lesson plans that stand out as winners?  If so, consider sharing them with ChimeWorks for possible inclusion in our store and begin to earn.  ChimeWorks pays 40% royalty on each lesson plan sold.

What Types of Lesson Plans?

Our focus here at ChimeWorks is offering resources for music leaders who use handchimes.  However, we’ve designed our lesson plans so that they will also work with KidsPlay® Bells and Boomwhackers® adapting the Chroma-NoteTM system.  Additionally, many are Orff-based lessons with the ostinati played on handchimes and non-pitched percussion added in.  So, if you have lessons for other instruments as mentioned above, consider the option of your lessons being used with handchimes.  A little flexibility will pay off!

Our goal is to offer lesson plans that offer easy adaptation in the classroom offering as many students as possible hands-on learning experience while meeting the NAfME National Music Standards of – Create, Perform, Respond and Connect.

Variety of Methods

ChimeWorks uses a variety of methods to teach music skills and music literacy.  Consider using one of our approaches – Icons (using the CW Icon Legend here), Chords, Ostinati, Ring & Sing or share a different one. We are always seeking new and creative ways to teach the joy of music.

What Should be Included

Musical examples used in each lesson plan should be in public domain.  Include historical information about the musical selection, objectives of the lesson, how it meets National Standards and the process by which the lesson is taught.  If accepted, ChimeWorks would have the ability to edit the lesson plan accordingly so that our products are comprehensive and consistent.

 How to Submit

The privilege to share and earn is available only to ChimeWorks members.  Join us and submit your plans at www.chimeworks.com/members/share-a-lesson-plan and start earning today!

Ode to Music

Children will remember the songs that we teach them throughout their lives. Be it a catchy tune, silly lyrics or an engaging movement, the music that we teach will impact our students in different ways but the end results are the same – lifelong memories.

As teachers of music, we hope to instill an appreciation, love or passion for music into our students. We do this best by actively involving them in the music-making process allowing them to be creative as they go and encouraging them to connect their experiences to the world around them. We also know that music will stimulate the intellectual, emotional, spiritual and social growth of our students affecting their lives in so many ways.

We balance our choice of lessons and repertoire to broaden our students – classical, folk, world and nonsense songs fill our teaching space – all to provide our students with a varying wealth of repertoire. Along with our singing, we introduce drums and other percussion, recorders, Orff instruments, ukuleles, Boomwhackers®, KidsPlay® bells and handchimes all in effort for our students to find their voice. In the end, our hope is for well-rounded young musicians leading to accomplished adults who are kinder, gentler and welcoming.

How often do we stop and sing about it? Music, that is. As we close the school year, we have an opportunity to sum up all that we offer with songs that praise our beloved art. Words that express how wonderful music is that our students will remember for a lifetime.

Share the joy of music with some of the following ChimeWorks lesson plans that will allow your students to sing and ring about it!

Merrily, Merrily Greet The Morn (LP00053)

Music Alone Shall Live (LP00043)

O Music, Sweet Music (LP00021)

Sing Together (LP00055)

Viva La Musica (LP00065)

Welcome Ev’ry Guest (LP00072)

O, How Lovely (LP00066)

Using Handchimes in the Classroom

You, like many general music teachers, may have a set of handchimes in the instrument cabinet of your classroom that have been sitting for years. Now’s the time to open them up and get them into the hands of your students and begin reaping the benefits of using handchimes in the classroom.

Why?

Using handchimes in the classroom offers bountiful benefits in teaching music skills that will bring excitement to you and your students. Handchimes create a beautiful tone – they have been said to create the purest tone known to mankind. Children do not have to master the instrument to create this beauty – they hold the instrument and snap their wrist – no worries about embouchure, fingerings and being in tune – the beauty is instantaneous using the wrist to create the sound and the arm to sustain it.

The music skills that can be taught by ringing are many. Students can learn about note duration, rhythm, harmony and melodic line though the mental and physical aspects of ringing. Through ringing, students will increase their independent thinking, listening skills, attention span, physical coordination, self-discipline and personal expression. They also gain positive social and emotional skills through collaboration and the development of self-esteem. Working with a group of ringers teaches tolerance, patience, support and cooperation to name a few.

How?

Using handchimes in the classroom does not require all the equipment that goes along with a handchime ensemble – tables, foam and music. Distribute one handchime to each student and allow them to sit at their desks, sit in a circle on the floor or stand. With a chime in hand, the students can learn to ring and damp, ring note durations, scales, chords and melodies all by rote.

If you desire to start slowly, use your handchimes along with your Orff instruments allowing students to double ostinati on handchimes. If Kodaly is your method, use the handchimes to intone a song by ringing a chord, accompany a modal melody by choosing the pitches of the mode on handchimes and have them ring randomly throughout the piece. If you have students who are not successful in playing the recorder, have them ring chords on the handchimes to accompany the melody that the students on recorders are playing. The incorporation of handchimes into your existing lesson plans is easy and will embellish your teaching!

Once you have experienced the positive benefits of using handchimes with your existing lesson plans, expand your curriculum by engaging your students with more ringing! Through the ChimeWorks® Online Resource Community at www.chimeworks.com, you have access to over a hundred lesson plans using icons, chords and ostinati. Use these lessons to accompany singing or to teach music literacy. Add in non-pitched percussion for students to improvise rhythms along with the singing and handchime parts. All your students will have hands on experience!

When?

Begin or finish the school year with ringing success – it’s never too late in the academic year to introduce handchimes. Because of the instant success in creating beauty of tone by ringing a handchime, your students will have the opportunity to jump right into the music!