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How to Play Tubular Bells

While the origin of bells is unknown, it is known that tubular bells were used in ancient cultures. Originally, the bells were used for rituals and magic, and for protection against evil spirits. People hung them at doors to purify their homes or places of worship. In 1880, tubular bells replaced unwieldy church bells that had been used in orchestras. They took the form of metal tubes of brass that are hung from thin wires on a metal frame and are tuned to different notes, starting from C above middle C and extend up one and a half octaves. They are struck by hammers, either wooden or rawhide, and dampers help mute the sound.

Instructions

    • 1

      Start by learning another instrument such as the piano.

    • 2

      Buy tubular bells from an instrument shop or online from sites such as eBay.

    • 3

      Look for tubular bell teachers in the phone book or online. Often these bells are part of the school department orchestras.

    • 4

      Go to Mike Oldfield's site and learn to play the tubular bells in three basic lessons.

    • 5

      Find music that you like and experiment by playing along with it. Since the tubular bells are organized like a piano keyboard, you can learn to play "by ear" in the same manner as playing another instrument.

    • 6

      Experiment with the damper pedals attached to the tubular bells. These affect the sound by muting the tine after the bells have been struck.

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