My objective with this project is to offer an alternative method for Handbell Ringers to Practice at Home. Handbells are one of those instruments that are difficult to purchase. Not only due to the high cost but also due to the uncertainty over which bells you might be assigned on a given performance or even from piece to piece. Thus, the number of Bells might increase rapidly. Hopefully, Practice Plastic Handbells will help.

I have been playing, teaching, and directing handbells for 40 years, as well as, giving volunteer 1 Hour Solo Handbell performances in the Wilmington, DE area. Many of my students and fellow ringers have been using Practice handbells and their ringing skills have all increased dramatically. Especially where 3 or more Handbells are required.

Practice Handbells grew out of a recognized need for a way for Handbell Ringers to Practice away from their normal Handbell Choir. This meant that Ringers would need to either borrow Metal Handbells from the Handbell Group or use some ‘other’ apparatus as a substitute for actual Handbells. over the years, many substitutes have been used, including wooden ladles, empty salad bottles, and even children’s play bells. These all suffer from the inability to closely duplicate the Handbell Ringing experience.

Since Handbells are a percussion instrument, their playing is a combination of reading music and physical coordination. Both of these take time and training and can not be easily accomplished in 1-hour practice sessions once per week. Most of us learn a musical instrument by FIRST acquire the instrument (through the purchase of rentals) and then arrange for lessons in order to improve their playing ability and then practice frequently away from lessons and formal rehearsal settings. For most of us, the purchase or rental of metal handbells is not an option, due to the high cost of the individual handbells and the need for the typical ringer to play 2 or more handbells.

By blending my years of experience as a Handbell Ringer with the emerging art of 3D Printing, I decided to take a look at the possibility of designing and printing low-cost handbells aimed at the home practice environment.