Montessori 8-Note Handbell Set - Diatonic Scale

Line the eight bells up in order and ring them one after another: your child hears the notes climb, step by step, from the red C to the pink one an octave higher. Then mix two of them up and ask which one sounds higher. That simple listening game is often the first time a young child really notices pitch.

Tonal bells your child can play a tune on

With the full set and its colour-coded sheet music, a child who cannot yet read notes can still follow a melody: each coloured dot on the page matches a bell. Start with a short tune using three or four notes, such as the opening of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star", and add bells as your child gains confidence. With two or three children, each one holds a bell or two and rings it when their colour comes up, which teaches listening and taking turns.

Holding the handle steady and giving one clean shake, rather than a long rattle, takes practice. Show the movement slowly the first time, then let your child find the right strength on their own.

How much do handbells cost?

It depends on how many you need. You can buy a single bell in one colour, or one sent at random, to complete a set or try one out; the full set of eight comes with sheet music and works out as the better choice if your child wants to play whole tunes. The current price of each option is shown on this page.

Music with tuned instruments has a long place in the Montessori method, where children learn to tell sounds apart by ear. If your child enjoys these bells, our other Montessori games include simple instruments to play alongside them.

Characteristics

• Age: 3 years and up
• Notes: C (red), D (orange), E (yellow), F (green), G (dark green), A (blue), B (dark blue), high C (pink)
• Height: 13.5 cm per bell
• Weight: 0.91 kg for the set
• Options: single bell in one colour, random colour, or set of 8 bells with sheet music
• 2-year guarantee

Warning: not suitable for children under 3 years. Small parts. Choking hazard. Do not use close to the ear. Misuse may cause hearing damage. Please retain this information.