Sight-reading and Mirror-ringing

Sight-reading
This will be a familiar practice mode for musicians, but not necessarily for bellringers. First, you must learn to ring by rhythm and 'by places'. Once you can 'place' your bell at will, it becomes possible to ring a method from a blue-line, even if you have never seen it before. We can support you with Mirror-ringing while doing this, if you wish (see below).

Sight-reading is really exhilarating - an exciting introduction to more advanced method ringing. Once you've experienced it, you'll be highly motivated to go away and learn the method properly!

Mirror-ringing
This powerful technique (which is much easier to do, than it is to explain!) can be very helpful when the student is first exploring what it 'feels' like to ring Plain Hunt, to practise treble-dodging or to ring a more advanced method:
  • The simulator is set up to ring the chosen method
  • The 'target bell' is chosen (the bell for the blueline/placebell that is to be practiced)
  • One of the other bells is temporarily converted to a 'dumbbell'. This bell will not sound and will have no effect on the ringing. (Using Abel simulator: right-click on the rope/ringer for this bell and un-check the 'Ext Bell' box)
  • The teacher rings the work on the target bell (their striking will be heard) while the simulator sounds the other bells
  • At the same time, the student 'rings' the dumbbell, exactly mirroring and synchronising with the rhythm of the teacher's ringing - however, their bell is completely silentBellringing school, tuition, classes, courses, workshops, and lessons at St Mary's Chigwell Ringing Center in Essex. Campanology training: for experienced bellringers and for beginners covering call changes, changing ringing and method ringing. Ideal recreation or hobby for young and old. Club, association, group, society, organisation. Many of our events are free of charge.
  • Once the student is familiar with the line being rung, teacher and student swap bells. The student coninues to follow the teacher's rope movements, but now the student's striking can be heard (and the teacher's bell is silent).
  • As the student grows in confidence and accuracy, they are gradually encouraged to ignore the teacher's visual cues, effectively 'going solo'
  • Eventually, the teacher can stand their 'dumbbell', leaving the student to ring the method with the simulator

Treat your advanced students to 'The Stedman Experience' using Mirror Ringing. It's like a tandem skydive ...but it's Stedman!

The small print
These techniques are designed to supplement the 'real ringing' you are already doing at your home tower, with your local band. Nothing can replace ringing with others for developing ropesight skills, practical method knowledge and that sense of 'ensemble' ringing, so essential to good striking. Private study is also important when learning any new method - for acquiring a thorough understanding of method structure.