What is a Dodge in Bellringing?
A dodge is a deliberate movement in change ringing where a bell temporarily changes its typical place by passing to the left or right of the neighboring bell, creating a short deviation in the order.
Bell ringing, or change ringing, uses a highly structured system of sequences in which each bell follows a precise path through rounds and methods. A dodge introduces a controlled irregularity to that path, allowing ringers to craft more intricate touches and peals without violating the fundamental rules of the method. The exact execution and terminology can vary between traditions and towers, but the underlying idea is a temporary departure from the straight sequence to produce a richer sound and rhythm.
How a dodge works in practice
In a dodge, the bell involved moves out of its normal lane and passes around a neighboring bell, either to the left or the right, before rejoining the standard progression. The movement is brief but deliberate, and it changes the relative order of the bells for a short span of changes. After completing the dodge, the bell returns to its regular path in subsequent changes.
Common variations of a dodge
Below are the commonly described forms ringers encounter when discussing dodges. These distinctions help bellringers plan and communicate in their method and touches.
- Left dodge: the bell moves to the left around the adjacent bell, then returns to the ordinary path.
- Right dodge: the mirror image of a left dodge, with the bell moving to the right.
- Short dodge: a dodge that lasts one or two places before rejoining the standard sequence.
- Long dodge: a longer passage where the bell crosses multiple places while dodging around a neighbor.
Dodges can be integrated into various types of leads within a method or added in touches during a peal to vary the cadence and rhythm. They require careful timing and coordination among the ringers, as the movement affects the entire sequence and must resolve cleanly to maintain a correct row.
Uses and context in ringing practice
Dodges appear in both traditional method composition and in touches called during peals. They serve several practical purposes, from adding musical variety to enabling more compact or extended peal structures without changing the fundamental orders that define a method.
- Method variation: Dodges provide a way to introduce variety within a method’s fixed framework, creating distinctive lead patterns without altering the overall plan.
- Rhythm and pacing: By altering the flow of changes, dodges help ringers adjust the cadence of a peal, sometimes shortening or lengthening phrases for musical effect.
- Training and skill development: Practicing dodges helps learners develop precise timing, coordination, and control of the bell’s striking, which are essential for more complex touches.
- Communication and calling: In towers where bellmasters or conductors guide a performance, dodges can be specified or encouraged through calls that indicate where and when the movement should occur.
While dodging is a well-established technique, its use is highly dependent on the method being rung and the tradition of the tower. Some towers emphasize routine dodges as a staple of their repertoire, while others employ them more sparingly or in specialized pieces.
Historical and practical notes
The concept of dodging has been part of change ringing for generations, evolving with the development of methods and the sharing of ringing practice among towers. Ringers often learn to recognize dodge patterns by sight and by sound, listening for the characteristic shifts in pace and the momentary deviation from the expected sequence. As ringing communities grow and publish method handbooks, the terminology around left/right and short/long dodges remains a practical shorthand for planning and performing complex touches.
Summary
In bellringing, a dodge is a controlled departure from a bell’s straight path, achieved by the bell passing to the left or right of a neighbor and then returning to the normal sequence. It adds color and flexibility to ringing, enabling more intricate methods and touches while demanding accuracy and teamwork from all ringers. Whether used in a traditional method or a modern touch, the dodge remains a fundamental building block for crafting varied and compelling peals.
