Getting going
The approach to Surprise Major on handbells, by Bill Jackson, and published in the Ringing World in 2007,
suggests that the method can be learned by splitting the method grid down into the individual sections together with the following cross section.
Bill's article then goes on to suggest techniques for progressively assimilating the detail of the method until the ringer is sufficiently familiar to make it worthwhile meeting with others for a practice session.
This is not the same as ringing by place notation.
It is too easy to memorise a string of place notation elements, especially for paindromic methods, and then lose the plot trying to follow the string.
Getting into any new method depends on what knowledge you already have.
If you are new to Surprise Major (i.e. have not rung methods at that level neither in the tower nor in hand) then study the structure of the method as it relates to the treble and use that as a way in.
If you are a die-hard blue line ringer on towerbells, then perhaps look at the way the coursing order works at the lead end (like Plain Bob) and at the half lead.
Whatever your route in, do examine the way the plain lead transitions when the treble is dodging in 5-6, and 2nds place is made.
In the first half of the lead the dodge in 3-4 is 2nds place bell on the way up and 7ths place bell starting 3-4 places down.
In 5-6 the treble is dodging with 8ths place bell finishing places down.
Then the treble goes to 7-8 and the triple dodge starts, 5ths place bell and 2nds place bell.
And the bells are in natural coursing order at the half lead with 3rds Place bell making 7ths, 2 & 5 dodging in 5-6, 7 & 4 handing over the place making in 3-4, and 6 and 8 handing over the Cambridge frontwork.
Then when the treble gets to 5-6 down, 2nds place is made again.
The treble dodges with 6ths place bell who is starting places up on the way to becoming 7ths place bell.
5ths place bell dodges with the 4 (in 3-4) as it finishes places up on the way to become 8ths place bell.
With a little bit of zen-like concentration, those words play out on the bells and form the centre piece of Yorkshire Surprise Major.
All you need is the skill to find the places and either a verbal memory or a visual memory.
Performance level
Just being able to see a structure is not enough to become reliable, you need a way of overcoming trips.
The development from Plain Courses to reliable ringer is personal, what works for you and what doesn't.
What is needed is context.
The double place bells for all 4 pairs is one memory technique that works well, and is re-usable for Cambridge and Superlative, and all methods in that group.
A visual understanding of the double lines vis a vis the treble is another context technique.
Mastery
Achieving Mastery of a Surprise Major method requires dedicated effort.
If you have committed to that goal perhaps your learning could be sent through for use on this website?
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