Pitch
We can identify bells by listening to their relative pitch… the treble being the highest pitched note and the others gradually moving down the musical scale to the tenor, which is the lowest pitched note. The pitch of a bell is always relative, because if you ring a larger or smaller set of bells, the pitch (note/frequency) associated with a specific number will be different. Not only could the scale start on any named note… in reality it could easily be anywhere in the gaps too.
For example, at a 10 bell tower like Pebworth, the pitch of the treble will vary depending on whether you ring 6, 8, 10 or an alternative set, such as a front 6. At other towers, with heavier or lighter bells, it will also be completely different, due to them being aa different weight and/or size.
Above you can see a keyboard with 10 white notes highlighted… these could easily match to 4 different sets of bells, all of which meet standard expectations of a major scale ending on the ‘tonic’ note.
If you have ever learned a musical instrument and done the grade exams, you will know that as part of the exam, you have to do ‘Aural Tests’ (listening tests). All exams include elements not much different to this, where you are helped to develop your ‘relative pitch’. Picking out a note, with respect to the others around it. It is a very useful skill, when you need to pick your own bell out in a change. Without it, identifying and fixing your striking problems becomes much harder to do!
Help and Advice
Just like learning to handle a bell and training your muscle memory, training your ear also takes time and effort. For those who have not done anything like this before, it may take plenty of practice too, but do not loose heart… keep practicing and slowly, but surely, your awareness and skill level will grow!
If you find you are struggling, then try the following:
- Try to count the bells after the open hand stroke, until you hear the highest bell (the treble) sound.