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Advanced Call Change Toolbox

9. Simple Call Changes

What are call changes?

A call change is when the conductor calls for two adjacent bells in a row to swap places. For example from rounds (1 2 3 4 5 6) the conductor's call "3 to 4" will swap the two identified bells so that the order of the bells becomes (1 2 4 3 5 6):

(1 2 3 4 5 6) becomes (1 2 4 3 5 6)

In exactly the same way from this new row (1 2 4 3 5 6) the conductor's call "3 to 5" will swap the two identified bells so that the order of the bells becomes (1 2 4 5 3 6):

(1 2 4 3 5 6) becomes (1 2 4 5 3 6)

A more detailed explaination is given in this YouTube video:

 
Calling up, calling down and calling by place

There are three ways of calling Call Changes. Make sure everyone knows which method is being used, before you start ringing. The three different calls below all lead to the same change:

Calling up 1 2 3 4 5 6 “3 to 4” 1 2 4 3 5 6
Calling down 1 2 3 4 5 6 “4 to 2” 1 2 4 3 5 6
Calling by place in the rows 1 2 3 4 5 6 “3rds place bell follow 4ths place bell” 1 2 4 3 5 6
 
Call Change jargon

Call Changes bring with them a whole new set of jargon. Why not test yourself with this Call Change Jargon quiz to make sure you really do know what others are talking about?

Ringing your bell in the right place

Try to ring call changes off as many bells as you can, with the proviso that you need to be able to control the bell to be able to position it in the right place in the row. This will be the first time that you will have had to change the position of your bell in the row, which requires you to ring your bell at three different speeds. This change of speed takes place at one stroke (usually handstroke).

How to change the speed of your bell

When you are called up you will need to hold up and ring slightly slower than in rounds for one blow:

  • The conductor will call the change at handstroke.
  • Put more weight on the backstroke before the change is made, in order to get more energy into the rope.
  • At the handstroke in which the change is made, let the sally rise a little higher so that you ring after the bell you've moved over.

When you are are called down towards the front, you will need to ring slightly quicker than in rounds for one blow:

  • The conductor will call the change at handstroke.
  • At the handstroke in which the change is made, check or slow the sally so the bell does not rise as high. Put more weight on the handstroke to prevent the next backstroke from dropping.

When leading and lying ring at the same speed as in rounds. Remember the open handstroke lead – that is the little extra gap at the handstroke lead (equivalent to one blow).

Test yourself by trying the bell control and call change quiz.

Named changes

Some call changes have special names e.g. Queens or Whittingtons. We have compiled a list of named musical rows which are are known across the country, but be aware that there are one or two regional variations.

Learning aids

You can consolidate your understanding of the theory of call changes using these exercises and games:

Beyond call changes
Video resource

The St Martin's Guild ring a call change sequence (between named musical rows) starting with raising the bells in peal and ending with a lower.

Supporting resources

If you want to learn more about ringing and calling call changes then try the Understanding Call Changes online course.