Which Call Change?
8 Bell Game
Can you identify a pattern of bells just from their sound? Which Call Change: 8-Bell is a game where you listen to a short clip of a call change and see if you can match it with the numbers we offer you? Whether you are calling the changes or ringing them… being able to identify the pattern from the sounds alone is a very useful skill. It will help you sort out mistakes… be it your own or someone else’s. It will also help to develop your ear for many other situations where being able to identify your own or a fellow ringers bell will be useful.
In Round 1, we have provided a selection of very common 8 bell call changes or changes which appear in Plain Hunt, which all but the least experienced will have regularly heard!
You should not find this too difficult to do and will probably be able to identify some of the changes without having to analyse ithem… all you then need to do is recognise what it looks like when written down!
Parts 2, 3, and 4 are more difficult as most changes will not be recognisable and will need to be carefully listened to and analysed.
Example
In the example, you recognise something that sounds a bit like Whittingtons, but extended. You might also note:
- The treble is not first… it appears to be 4th. A low bell is leading.
- The tenor appears to be last.
- There is an upwards sequence of 4-bells followed by a similar downward sequence, but neither is a run or roll-up.
- From that information, the most likely answer is 75312468.
Which Call Change: 8-Bell. Round 2
Notes
These changes are not all so well known so you will need to listen more carefully to the patterns of interval between the notes… With 8 bells to listen for we might be using any of the intervals within an octave, plus the bells come quicker and there more more of them!
If you have already had a go at the 5&6 bell changes, then you will be familiar with our clues list, but if not, here it is again…
- Listen carefully to the first bell, is it the treble… if not, where is the treble in the order… and which bell is leading? …. Is it low, mid or high pitched?
- Listen to the interval (jumps) between each bell… is it to the note next door… up or down one note, or a bigger jump?
- Where is the tenor… is it last or has it moved? If it has moved… where is it and who is now last… is it a low or high pitched bell?
- Listen for sequences of consecutive numbers. Remember, this might be a roll up, or a run down.
- Listen for big intervals…. where are they? In 1-2, 2-3, 3-4… etc.? Is the interval a leap up or down?
In addition, for 8-bells, you might also:
- Listen for other sequences or patterns… possibly gaps of a 3rd (alternate bells like in Queens), 4ths (like in Tittums minor), or 5ths (like in tittums major).
Use all these clues and the right answer should become clearer! If not listen again… but remember, like any skill… it takes practice to gain proficiency!