History and Information about the Bells
Bells are a class of instruments that includes the hand bell, the tubular bells, and the glockenspiel. The earliest bells were made of pottery and date back as far as 3000BC. Most bells today are made of metals. While most percussion instruction takes place on the drum kit or drum set, some students choose to specialize in other forms of percussion, such as bells. Since the bells have been around for so long, there is an expansive repertoire of music to learn. You will have access to genres such as classical, blues, pop, rock, jazz, and folk when you learn how to play the bells.
When to Start on the Bells
You can start bell lessons as young as age 6, although depending on a student’s dexterity and fine motor skills, some are able to pick it up earlier. However, since bells are often used in a group setting, it is recommended that students start on a snare drum or drum set and then expand into other forms of percussion. Students also should have begun to read and count, as most instructors will be teaching them how to read music very early on, if not right away.
Getting Bells
Please call us for a recommendation of a store from which you can purchase or rent bells. For very young students, it is also recommended to rent instruments for two reasons: 1) they will most likely grow out of instruments quickly and 2) they may lose interest (although we hope they don’t!). Most stores will provide repair services for instruments that they rent out.
Purchasing Books and Supplies for Your Bells
Most books and many supplies are available online. Give us a call for a local store recommendation. Your instructor can tell you which books and supplies are appropriate or needed.
**Feel free to call us at 631-476-8946 with any questions you may have. We can help you find the best stores or dealers in your area and provide you with additional resources.