So welcome to the ringing world, with towers tall, staircases curled, where bells are raised and ropes unfurled; to call the world to prayer.
Corridors and secret places, in hidden, high up, dusty spaces; a community of familiar faces are regularly found in there
Young and old come out in the cold each week, to improve their technique and their style. To follow the lead, at just the right speed, to smile, and take heed all the while
But first it’s best to know the score: there’s much to know in ringing law. Therefore, prepare for what’s in store; lest you irritate or rankle.
Ensure your feet stay on the ground; never let them swing around. In case a rope, without a sound, be interwound around the ankle
Chatter’s allowed when the bells are all set (at handstroke it’s a reasonable bet), there’s greeting and meeting, expleting, and yet: not once the treble’s gone....
For lest we should miss an instruction or call, or drop the metaphorical ball, quietness reigns, everybody refrains, from blethering on and on.
So we minimise the noise, in case the ringers lose their poise and then nobody enjoys it: that’s the drill!
And if you’re not in the band then feel free to sit or stand, but don’t misunderstand – you must be still
Second of all, the matter small, of learning to handle the bell at all. How hard can it be, to pull a rope, to swing a bell, to send the rope off over the wheel, and finally check it once you feel, it’s time to bring it back again and round the other way? Now be sure you catch the sally, lest you should break the stay.
Then, the only thing you have to do, as a ringer, it is true, is ring your bell just when it’s due, in between the other two. The one in front, and one behind, and both of these, if they are kind, will be, hopefully you’ll find, in just the right place too.
Now all being well, when all in is hand, an experienced band shouldn’t need, too much direction, or any correction – to dodge at the treble’s lead. For after all it’s very small, a conductors choice of what to call; there isn’t really much to say at all ….. except….
Bob ….
Single ….
bob …….
.....a simple command, entirely pre-planned for the job.
This is the way it’s supposed to be! Musical, melodious, but hopefully not harmonious
Yes, rhythmical yet rhythm-less; dotted notes just make a mess; they cause conductors undue stress and culprits get a glare. Quite off-putting it can be, when you’re following the three, and instead of ringing steadily, it’s galloping here and there.
Triplets, quavers, syncopation – campanological abomination. Causing consternation or (at worst), sudden, final termination. They owe a grave apology to whichever methodology, has taken the hit, rolled over, gasping for breath, and died, a painful, faltering death.
Now rubato, also quite a sin: inexcusable, unpardonable and wrong; it's not sing song or a ping-pong-along - or rather ping pong or a sing - song-a-long; you’ve got one tempo and anything else - is simply frowned upon. For when you ding it, you cannae just wing it, like you might when you sing it; you gotta ring it! Innit?
Copyright Phyllida Alexander 14th September 2021