On 2004-05-25 04:39, Counterparts wrote:
Congrats Immanuel!
I think that these are double bells:
Clapperless bells struck with a stick - originating in Cameroon.
Royston
Very close - the ones we use do not have wood - only a thin metal stick in the same place. Apart from that, I looks very similar. I actually don't know, if double bells are the right word, but I had to call them something.
And I definitely do not underestimate the importance of those bells. Our bass drummers have these BIG bass-drums, that a mamber of the group made. They are like 4.5 feet deep - and probably 2.5 feet wide (I guess, I have to measure them now). ... I said BIG didn't I? The drums have weels and "arms" wich are attached to a belt around the ... drummer

The bass-drummers are always at the back, because they are so big, and they cut the group in two, if they go in the middle. Guess, who they want close to them? A bell player

I have this dream ... I want something, so I do not have to use one hand for carrying the bell - be it on wheels or tied around my waist does not matter too much. And then .... multiple bells. Might be a great effect to just go up one half note when repeating one core part. And having 2 hands would definitely not hurt. I have to simplify one rythm, because it plays every 3 out of 4 16th notes all the time thru at a tempo around 150. Ok, so I only play the 2 most important of the 4. Our Ghanesian instructor said, that I Ghana they don't hold the bells - meaning they have 2 hands to play with. It does make kind of a difference - especially, since we have to hit those bells very hard.
Next Weekend we go to Copenhagen
