Printed from the MusicK8.com Idea Bank

Various Uses For Resonator Bells In Primary Classes

Submitted by Connie Herbon, Iowa

Idea posted 2002-01-03

I use resonator bells mainly in my primary classes as step bells. I set them on one of those wooden ladder frames at the appropriate step. Everyone can see the up/down, high/low, sol/mi, etc. relationships. All have a turn to play an ascending and/or descending scale, and we play a high/low identification game with them.

They're also really handy when we add sound effects to things like "Halloween Time," a poem from Music K-8, Vol. 6, No. 1. I also have lots of diatonic and chromatic bell sets, so everyone can play at the same time after the concept or song is taught. Another use for the resonator bells is for chord work, but I tend to use our autoharps and barred Orff instruments more for this.