Something a "Little" Different (part 1)

Sometimes there is a need to ring something slightly different but the band is not experienced enough to make a significant change to the repertoire, after all the change from ringing Bob Minor to Kent Minor is a significant step and might not be all that achievable.

This time I shall present a number of little methods for doubles to shake up the Bob Doubles/Grandsire Doubles lassitude.

Little methods are methods where the treble does not hunt all the way to 5ths place.

Bistow Little Bob - (Hunt to 2nds)

The treble hunts to 2nds place, so can be done by a competent "Mexican-waver" but isn't confident enough to hunt all the way to 5ths. This method helps the treble ringer to develop ropesight as they are able to look for their new bell each time.
The rest ring all the work of Plain Bob Doubles but without the hunting and the 2nds, the other big difference is that the "work" is done at the start of the lead (like Grandsire) and not the end (like Plain Bob Doubles.

Progressive Plain Hunt

An alternative way of teaching plain hunt involves the learner ringing from the treble and progressively plain hunting further out.

E.g. they start making 2nds and.back, which is what they do starting on the treble for Mexican wave. (Also, this can be done for various methods where the treble hunts to 2nds and back).

Then thirds and back again this can be rung in a method like cloister.

Then fourths and back again this can be done to methods like penultimus.

Finally to fifths and back.

This has the advantage of teaching places and the feel of hunting to various positions.
Of course the big draw back is that they don't get the feel of hunting out slowly and in quickly until the very end, but does help show ropesight.

It is worth noting that for the kinaesthetic learner this is a great way to learn plain hunt, but for the more traditional oral/visual learner they will probably prefer to learn the traditional way.

Mexican Wave

The Mexican wave is an idea by Gordon Lucas (http://cccbr.org.uk/education/practicetoolkit/pdfs/fs_kaleidoscope.pdf) that involves a series of place making. Starting at the front and progressing out towards the back.  The link provides more details about it and tips on band placement and conducting/teaching it.

Starting from rounds ·         1 and 2 swap over ·         1 and 2 swap back ·         2 and 3 swap over ·         2 and 3 swap back ·         3 and 4 swap over ·         3 and 4 swap back ·         4 and 5 swap over ·         4 and 5 swap back

So why do it?

There are quite a few reason to try this

·         For a band who can ring call changes but has mastered plain hunt yet, this provides a little bit of the something different,

·         A learner can practise going into the lead from the 2^nd

·         For the bells further back they get to practice covering as they need to watch the bells under them go from rounds, swapped over and back to rounds before they need to swap themselves

·         Gives a bit of rope sight practice, especially towards the end of the change as they have to watch the change come up to them

·     Gives a striking practice since each person can hear their change individually
 

What to do next?

·         Treble/2^nd ringer a method that makes 2nds and back such as Bastow/Little Kent

·         Plain hunt singles

·         Start from a different position Queens/Tittums etc.

·         Have multiple Mexican Waves at the same time, e.g. call a 2^nd one when the first is about to make 3 and 4 swap

·         Instead of doing just a place try something else