This post houses one big list of all my handbell note charts available throughout my website. I have categorized them all so you can see if I have a handbell chart to fit your singing time needs!
If you know me, you know that I love to bring handbells into singing time!
- They are so engaging for the kids
- Ringing bells uses large muscle groups which helps get wiggles out
- Most importantly, they allow you repeat songs again and again
- Wonderful to bring into sacrament meeting when you sing (with your bishop's approval, of course)
I have a post HERE dedicated to using handbells in singing time. If you are unfamiliar with my handbell note charts, refer to this post for your starter guide!
The BIG List
Once you become a handbell pro (or this post will help get you there!), this list is for you! I’ve organized and categorized my plethora of handbell note charts and all the various ways I use them below. Categories include:
- 8-Note Bell Charts
- 13-Note Bell Charts
- Descants, Obbligatos and Ostinatos
- Partial Charts
- Melody
- Harmony
- Chords
- Seasons & Holidays
- Not in the Children’s Songbook
- Make-Your Own
So, pick your poison and ring away!
How to Access Handbell Charts
All of the handbell charts listed below are available to download at my Resource Library. The charts are all filed alphabetically under the song’s name. Instructions for accessing my Resource Library are found at the bottom of this post.
The links below to the various songs are where the handbell chart is shared on my blog. There you can find more information about the handbell chart in case you need it.
8-Note Bell Charts
This group of charts requires only the basic 8-note set of handbells (if you only own a set of Merry Bells, this group is for you!)
13-Note Bell Charts
Most of my bell charts require the 8-handbell set (Merry Bells) and the 5-note add-on set (Kidsplay) to bring you to 13 bells. These 2 sets let you play any note (including all the black notes on the piano). That’s why I HIGHLY recommend you get the additional 5-note set if you can!
- A Child’s Prayer
- Away in a Manger (hymn)
- Autumn Day
- Beautiful Savior
- Carol of the Bells
- Christmas Bells
- Every Star is Different
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- Have a Very Merry Christmas!
- Help Me, Dear Father
- I Am Like a Star
- I Know My Father Lives
- I Often Go Walking
- I Stand All Amazed
- If I Listen With My Heart
- It’s Autumntime
- Jesus Has Risen
- Jingle Bells
- Joy to the World
- Keep the Commandments
- Mother Dear
- Mary’s Lullaby
- My Redeemer Lives
- Oh, Hush Thee, My Baby
- Our Bishop
- Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus
- Stand for the Right
- Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
- The Dearest Names
- The Handcart Song
- The Shepherd’s Carol
- To Be a Pioneer
- When We’re Helping
- Where Love Is
- Who is the Child
Descants Obbligatos and Ostinatos
Don’t let these fancy names scare you! These are simply optional parts found in the music that are not associated with the melody. But if you want definitions, here you go:
- Descant: A descant is an optional voice part with words of its own. It is possible to play a descant as an instrumental part. (See Hosanna, p. 66.)
- Obbligato: An obligato is an optional instrumental part above the melody. Sometimes the part is in a range suitable for voice using the same words as the melody. (See Keep the Commandments, p. 146).
- Ostinato: a continually repeated musical phrase or rhythm (see Little Pioneer Children, p. 216).
This is one of my FAVORITE ways to use the bells! The bells play these optional musical parts that we rarely get to hear or sing!
Partial Charts
These bell charts only play on certain phrases or parts of the song. Usually those words or phrases that are frequently repeated.
Melody
These bell charts only play the melody. I typically shy away from only playing the melody using handbells. Mostly because charts tend to get REALLY long. And just that I prefer the other methods to engage with bells. That said, this is still a great method to using handbells!
Harmony
The harmony can either be an alto part, base part, or something similar. Just know the bells are not playing the melody.
Chords
These note charts utilize the guitar chords that are listed with every primary song. This is one of my very favorite ways to play the bells in singing time! It usually incorporates a wide variety of bells.
- A Child’s Prayer
- Away in a Manger (Children’s Songbook)
- Away in a Manger (hymn)
- Carol of the Bells
- Friends Are Fun
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- Have a Very Merry Christmas!
- I Know My Father Lives
- I Often Go Walking
- Jesus Has Risen
- Jingle Bells
- Joy to the World
- My Redeemer Lives
- Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus
- Silent Night
- Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
- The Dearest Names
- Where Love Is
Seasons & Holidays
Bring handbells into singing time any time of the year! Here’s what I’ve got for several of the seasons and holidays!
Valentine’s Day
Easter/Spring
- Beautiful Savior
- Help Me, Dear Father
- Hosanna
- I Stand All Amazed
- If I Listen With My Heart
- My Redeemer Lives
- Jesus Has Risen
- Easter Hosanna
- Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
Mother’s Day
Father’s Day
Pioneer Day
Thanksgiving/Fall
Christmas
- Away in a Manger (Children’s Songbook)
- Away in a Manger (hymn)
- Carol of the Bells
- Christmas Bells
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- Have a Very Merry Christmas!
- Jingle Bells
- Joy To the World
- Mary’s Lullaby
- Oh, Hush Thee, My Baby
- Once within a Lowly Stable
- Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus
- Silent Night
- The Shepherd’s Carol
- Who is the Child
Not in the Children's Songbook
These songs are not found in the Children’s Songbook but I still have charts for them.
Hymns
Secular
Make-Your Own
If you see that I’ve missed categorizing a handbell note chart, please let me know! I’m always prone to mistakes! I will try to also keep adding to this list as I create new bell charts.
Let me know in the comments if you found this helpful!
These printables are filed on my Resource Library page under Song Title > {song name}.
