Handbells

The handbells have a pure, bright, almost spherical-floating sound.

Each player handles an average 3 to 8 bronze bells. For the length of the note value, the bell is made ring and then attenuated against the body. And this as sensitive as possible to get an expressive overall sound.
To prevent confusion: Handbells are not cowbells and have nothing in common with the playing technique of cowbells.

The history of handbells

Origin in England in the 16th and 17th centuries; Brought to America in 1830, they disappeared from the scene in England. Approximately In 1930 they were rediscovered in England. Since the sixties they are widely used in America.
The first German handbell choires were founded in 1973 and 1979. There are currently nearly 40 handbell choirs in Germany.

In addition to handbells, there are also chimes. These will be presented on a separate page. Chimes can be used with together handbells, for example, to highlight the melody in one piece.

Handbells can also be played in combination with other instruments, such as flute, trumpet, organ, piano or guitar.