How long?

On 7 bells there are 5,040 unique sequences (change-rows) that can be rung, but a bellringing method, in its simplest form, will normally embrace fewer than 100 of these available rows. To get the bells to sound further sequences, temporary alterations to the method will be made. These alterations are known as "calls" and the calls are, literally, called at the appropriate point in the ringing.

The pattern of the calls is known as a composition.

In general one ringer is appointed to make the calls, and that ringer is known as the conductor.

True or False?

By tradition, bellringing starts in rounds, and ends in rounds, and the calls are made such that there is no repetition of changes before returning to rounds.

A piece of ringing where there is no repetition is described as true, whilst a false piece of ringing includes repeated change rows.

The above statements are true for the purpose of understanding how ringers use the words true and false, but there are limits to their applicability. These limits relate mainly to the availability of unique rows at a specific stage, and have been modified by agreement of the relevant CCCBR committees.

The Role of the Conductor

The principle role of the conductor is to make the calls in the right place, and to make them clearly and confidently to enable the band to ring the method.

Beyond ringing his or her own bell, and making the calls, the conductor will also wish to ensure that the bells are continuing to ring as they were intended to do. This checking is necessary as mistakes can occur for a variety of reasons, and a conductor would be unpopular if the ringing did not return to rounds correctly.

An experienced conductor will also try to help ringers with less experience to overcome their mistakes.

The conductor is also responsible for ensuring compliance with all relevant CCCBR rules particularly concerning method naming, and peal ringing. And generally the conductor is responsible for publication of performances as agreed with the band.

Ringing two bells at handbell speeds, making the calls, checking the ringing is correct and helping people overcome their mistakes is a mind boggling challenge; as one very experienced handbell ringer observed, "it should be impossible really".