Method Toolboxes for teachers
9. Grandsire Doubles Toolbox
Grandsire Doubles has two bells that plain hunt so it has only three working bells (the 3, 4 and 5 in the plain course) and therefore only three pieces of work. There is less to learn to ring a plain course than Plain Bob Doubles but touches are more complex. Because the second plain hunts throughout, the plain course is only three leads long, compared to four leads for Plain Bob Doubles.
The dodges in Grandsire feel very different to those in Plain Bob. In:
- Plain Bob Doubles – the 3-4 dodge requires the 'step back' to be made at backstroke.
- Grandsire Doubles – the 4-5 dodge requires the 'step back' to be made at handstroke.
Switching between the two methods can be confusing to a new ringer, unless they rigorously count their place and have learnt when the "step back" or dodge is made in each method.
Learning aids
Teaching the theory
How to set up Grandsire Doubles workshops including theory sessions.
For one-on-one teaching you can use the workshop presentation and provide the student with this cribsheet:
Stepping stone methods
Learning Aids
Calling Grandsire
Touches of Grandsire contain both bobs and singles. The call is made at handstroke when the treble is in thirds place hunting down to the front. It takes effect the following handstroke which is one blow earlier than in Plain Bob Doubles.
Practice night touches
For those who don’t do much conducting, being asked to call Grandsire and keep other ringers straight may seem quite daunting. Here are a few tips that might be helpful on a practice night.