Bells

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Bells
Sensorial - Auditory Discrimination
Bells.JPG
LevelPrimary
PrerequisitesSilence Game
Materialsset of 26 Montessori bells

The purpose of the activities with the bells is to refine the child's sense of pitch.

Presentations

Carrying a Bell

  1. Show how to carry the bell.
    Hold the stem with one hand.
    The other hand should be held flat to support the bell from underneath.
    1 - Carrying a Bell.JPG
  2. Give the child a turn.

Ringing a Bell

  1. Hold the striker with the fingertips, let it hang downwards.
  2. Swing it gently to hit the side edge if the bell.
    2 - Ringing a Bell.JPG
  3. Give the child a turn.

Using the Mute

  1. step one
    3 - Muting a Bell 1.JPG
  2. next step
    3 - Muting a Bell 2.JPG

Matching Bells

  1. step one
    4 - Matching Bells 1.JPG
  2. next step
    4 - Matching Bells 2.JPG

Grading Bells

  1. Take four tan bells to a table and mix them up.
  2. Start by finding the lowest of the four bells.
    Grading Bells 1.JPG
  3. Slide down the first two bells and ring them to determine which one has the lower pitch.
    Grading Bells 2.JPG
  4. Keep the lower of the two in the middle.
    Slide the higher bell off to the right.
    Grading Bells 3.JPG
  5. Slide down the third bell.
    Compare to see which of the two is lower.
    Keep the lower of the two bells in the middle.
    Slide the higher of the two off to the right.
    Grading Bells 4.JPG
  6. Slide down the fourth bell.
    Compare to see which of the two is lower.
    Keep the lower of the two bells in the middle.
    Slide the higher of the two off to the right.
    Grading Bells 5.JPG
  7. Put the lowest bell in the upper left corner.
    Grading Bells 6.JPG
  8. Slide the remaining bells back up.
    Grading Bells 7.JPG
  9. Slide down the first two of the remaining bells.
    Compare them to see which of the two is lower.
    Grading Bells 8.JPG
  10. Keep the lower of the two in the center.
    Move the higher of the two bells off to the right.
    Grading Bells 9.JPG
  11. Slide down the last bell to the center.
    Compare the two bell to see which of the two is lower.
    Slide the higher of the two bells off to the right.
    You now have the second lowest bell.
    Slide it up to the right of the lowest bell in the upper left corner.
    Grading Bells 10.JPG
  12. Slide the remaining two bells to the center.
    Compare to see which of the two is lower.
    Grading Bells 11.JPG
  13. Slide the lower of the two bells up to be the third bell in the upper left corner.
    Grading Bells 12.JPG
  14. Slide up the bell that remains (the highest bell) to be the fourth bell in the upper left corner.
    Grading Bells 13.JPG
  15. Ring all the bells in order from left to right to check to see if they are in order from lowest to highest.

Points of Interest

  • The sound of the bells

Control of Error

Variations and Extensions

  • There are several ear-training apps available that would serve as a good substitute for a homeschooled child.

Material

Make Your Own

Where to Buy

Prices and links last checked: 8 July 2020
(I checked every site I knew of. This is all that's out there.)

Set of 13 Pairs of Bells
Nienhuis $1033.50

Set of 8 Pairs of Bells
Adena $224.95
Affordable Montessori $239.00
Thinkamajigs $219.95

Bell Mallet
Nienhuis $4.90

Damper
Nienhuis $4.90

Baseboards
Nienhuis $42.50

Bells Staff Board
Nienhuis $42.20

Staff Board with Notes
Nienhuis $28.80

Bell Cabinet
Nienhuis $358.80

Bell Cart
Montessori Woods $350.00

Alternative Bells

These are sets of bells that when painted in the Montessori Bell colors could be used. You would need to buy two sets.
Some are already black and white corresponding with the keys on a piano. The rainbow colored ones would need to be painted with one set in black and white. The other set should be painted a neutral color such as tan or gray.

To use the handbells instead of the traditional style bells, the child should work at a mat or have a felt table-mat at a table.
Lift the bell with the subdominant hand, and hold a little bell-mallet in the dominant hand. Tap the bell on the side with the mallet to ring it. Set the bell down to mute it.

Montessori Shaped Bells
Montessori Concepts $85.00 (8 bells, rainbow)

Handbells:
Groth Music $140.00 (13 bells, black and white)
Groth Music $89.00 (13 bells, white)
Musician's Friend $79.99 (13 bells, rainbow)
West Music $150.00 (25 bells, black and white)

Deskbells:
Groth Music $68.95 (13 bells, rainbow)


Further Reading