techniques2

SPECIAL RINGING TECHNIQUES
CONTINUED

Martellato Smash (Ms.)
The Martellato Smash is a technique that can bring excitement to a performance and amusement to the ringer who successfully executes it (if not the director). The technique is best used for f and ff sections of music. The three steps for a perfect Martellato Smash are as follows:
     1. Hold bell at eye level.
     2. Grin.
     3. Strike bell with karate chop action to the table.

Note: Handbell choirs that impose monetary fines for bell pings, dings and dents are likely to authorize this technique as a means to fund the acquisition of a fifth or sixth octave of bells. See also Pendulum Arc Martellato Smash.

Palm Damp (P.D.)
A thumb damp for a bass bell. The ringer holds the casting of the bell in the palm of the ringer's hand. This technique is related to the Double Palm Damp which is reserved for the really big handbells. The technique should not be confused with Double Damp Palms, which is what bell ringers experience when they are worried about screwing up a piece of music in performance. (A thick pair of gloves usually remedies that problem.)

Pendulum-Arc Martellato Smash (PMS)
This energetic, overhead extension of the Martellato Smash is strongly discouraged by most handbell choir directors; the reasoning is that it is too "showy" in performance. However, in the exuberance of performance and in the sheer joy of American handbell ringing tradition, some ringers simply forget. These ringers usually end up searching for a new handbell choir. Due to the controversial nature of this technique, it will not be fully described on this webpage.

Shared Bell Hand Grab (>?<)
This technique, more of a phenomenon really, occurs when two ringers reach for the same bell at the same time and end up grabbing eachothers' hands. This technique is not recommended unless the ringer has a refined sense of timing and particularly likes the ringer standing beside him, However, the technique is reasonably safe as long as both ringers wear gloves. It should not be confused with the Scrambell.

Sleeve Weave (s.w.)
The Sleeve Weave adds mystery and awe to a handbell performance. It is executed as follows:
     1. Outfit two ringers in robes with long floppy sleeves.
     2. Ringers begin normal bell weave pattern.
     3. Ringers end up holding eachothers' sleeve.

Note: Small bells have been known to fully disappear into the sleeve during this maneuver. Amazing!

Mallet Duck (M.D.)
Not to be confused with Mallard Duck, this visual effect is a favorite among novice ringers who execute it quite easily. A Mallet Duck is performed as follows:
1. Ringer One throws down a mallet in order to quickly grab a bell that was almost forgotten.
2. Ringer Two ducks under the table.

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Scrambell (!?!)
A ringer who makes a sudden, jerky reach (or scramble) for a bell on the table, to suggest that the bell was not placed in the correct position on the table, executes a Scrambell. A less-experienced ringer may not be able to execute this technique without clanging a bell on the table, thus producing a mistake in the music. The proper form for this tecnhique is to make the motion without producing any sound from the bell sought. Consequently, this technique is less of a musical technique than a visual effect when done perfectly. Finesse is not required for this technique.
If two ringers who are side by side coordinate the technique during the same measure, the technique is known as a Duo Scrambell (!!?!!).

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