Smithsonian Institution
Braiding Rhythms: The Role of Bell Patterns in West African and Afro-Caribbean Music
Africans transported to the Caribbean as part of the transatlantic slave trade brought with them a rich tradition of music and dance. Four lessons teach young musicians the rumba clave rhythm, cascara rhythm, and the 6/8 bell patterns...
Curated OER
Bells 'n' Scales
Students work together to arrange bells in order from low to high and play songs. They discuss differences in pitch and musical notation.
Curated OER
Brain Teaser - Bells
In this logic activity, students solve a word problem using logic about available time to reach a school yard. Students complete 1 problem.
Curated OER
Bells - Making Music
First graders are introduced to the basic concepts of music. Using bells, they ring their bell when their color card has been shown. They practice a musical song with their classmates and are assigned to one bell for them to focus on. ...
Curated OER
Marching Band
Students make simple muscial instruments. In this music lesson, students use buttons in small containers, bells on string, wax paper over a comb, or pan and spoon and then use these instruments to perform in a marching band.
Other
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
This great site offers information about the Chesapeake Bay, its history, people and it's stories. "Tour" the museum to find interesting information.
Handbell World
Handbell World: Handbell Notation Symbols and Definitions
Handbell ringing is a unique form of music-making and uses techniques that don't apply to other instruments. Music written for handbells looks much like piano music, with the addition of symbols which indicate these unique techniques....
Other
Online Mallet Lessons
This site contains numerous tips and suggestions dealing with many facets of playing the vibraphone and marimba. Although much of the information is jazz oriented, some is general enough that it could easily be applied to xylophone and...
Other
Drum Bum: A Drum Lessons Database
Providing "Over 400 free Lessons and Tabs," this resource includes learning ideas and information for everyone from the drum novice to the expert. In addition to including lessons on a wide range of instruments, this resource includes...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Middle Ages: Arts & Entertainment
Description of the entertainment that occurred during the Middle Ages. Types of instruments and involvement in religious life discussed.
National Bell Festival
National Bell Festival: Handbells
This page explains basics about handbells and handbell ringing, including some brief history of the instruments, and a limited list of ringing techniques.
Other
Whitechapel Bell Foundry: Handchimes
From a handchime provider, this site provides basic information about handchimes.
Other
Teaching Treble Bell Techniques
Concise presentation of information related to teaching handbell ringing techniques.
University of Michigan
University of Michigan: Instrument Encyclopedia: Bell
This article discusses the bell, which is classified as a percussive instruments.
Other
The Mudcat Cafe: Blocks, Bells, Box Drums and Mallets
Have you ever wondered how to make homemade musical instruments? Use this site to find out how to construct sandpaper blocks and mallets.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Percussion
A basic article on percussion instruments lists several examples of percussion instruments, provides a distinction between membranophones and idiophones, and lists instruments that are tuned vs. ones that are not.