Developing change ringing skills

Once you have grasped the key skills of change ringing, there are more complicated patterns or methods to learn and also variations of the ones you already know. There is a world of opportunity to learn new things, and using the clever approach bell ringers have to memorise the pattern it is not even too difficult!

You will learn about the blue line and how the structure of a method can help to make it easier to learn – including place bells, passing the treble and understanding bob and single variations.

At Level 4, you and your teacher will decide whether to go down the Doubles or Minor pathway. They are very similar but are usually based on your local band and what it normally rings. The Doubles pathway focuses on method patterns rung on 5 bells whilst the Minor pathway focuses on method patterns rung on 6 bells.

Both pathways build on earlier skills of ringing the treble or the tenor behind to methods. In Level 4, the number and variety of methods is expanded to include Plain Hunt on 6, Original Doubles, Spliced Little and Plain Bob. Further practice at listening skills is provided through using simulators and facing outward from the circle for place making or Call Changes.

Information for teachers

Level 4 concentrates on:

• Ringing a plain course of a chosen Doubles method (Plain Bob or Grandsire)
• Ringing a 120 of Doubles (Plain Bob or Grandsire)
• A quarter peal of a chosen method inside (Plain Bob or Grandsire)
• Calling a plain course of a Doubles method
• Raising and lowering in peal of 6 bells

Activities to build skills include ringing inside to Bastow Minimus and Doubles and varieties of Bob Doubles. Plain courses and touches of Plain Bob or Grandsire can be used with different starts.

The Minor pathway concentrates on:

• Ringing inside to a plain course of Plain Bob Minor
• Ringing inside to a plain course of Little Bob Minor
• A quarter peal of Bob Minor on the treble
• Raising and lowering in peal of 6 bells
• Calling a plain course of Plain Bob Minor

Activities to build skills include ringing inside to Bastow Minimus and Minor. Plain courses and touches of Little and Plain Bob Minor can be used as well as Trebling to Bob Minor.