I Heard The Bells...

Jimmy and I went to hear the 6th Dimension tonight at the Episcopal Church. I've heard them before, but not in a concert like tonight. Although I could only see the middle three ringers because of where I was sitting, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I wanted to watch them handle the bells, especially the four-in-hand. I've tried to play my bells that way, but my hand gets tired too quickly and I can't twist my wrist quickly enough to play the opposite bells.

They use all the techniques. Ringing, thumping, vibrating, mallets and whatever else they can manage to add interest. They played with choir chimes, slap-sticks, jingle bells and other sounds I can't describe because I couldn't see them. I wish they had been up on a stage or that we had gotten there much earlier to get a seat closer to the front. We were in the back of the small church and the floor is flat, so there's no "theater" seating.

I can only imagine what it would be like to be so talented that I could play in a handbell group that gave concerts like they do. I love my church's handbell group and we all get along very well. We tried playing down in front of the sanctuary once but our nerves were so bad that we decided (vowed!) never to play there EVER AGAIN!!! We play under the balcony in the south wing of the sanctuary and are very content.