The Handbell and Handchime Music Difficulty Level System is taken from R-101 Revised AGEHR Handbell and Handchime Notation Booklet, published by the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, p. 23-25, © 2006.

Assigning Difficulty Levels to Handbell and Handchime
Music

Rhythm, Articulation, Dexterity
The AGEHR, Inc.

As handbell and handchime repertoire and techniques have increased in
number and complexity, the need for a method of assigning difficulty levels has
become apparent. Having music available with an assigned difficulty level will:

• help directors select repertoire best suited for their choirs
• help directors select literature that requires specific skills and techniques
• assist teachers in creating a curriculum
• provide a framework for educational assessment
• serve as a motivational tool that encourages choirs to improve their skills
• help publishers select new releases for a balanced catalogue

The following system should be used only as a guide. Tempo, number of ringers, handbell assignments, etc. will have a dramatic effect on the difficulty of any music selected.

Comments for Directors, Publishers, and Editors

1. Key changes and accidentals ARE handbell and handchime changes.
2. Tempo is VERY IMPORTANT in assigning level of difficulty.
3. Handchimes should be considered as a special category. However, when
   used with handbells within the same piece, a handchime should be
   considered a "handbell" change.
4. When a piece contains a six-measure (or less) phrase of technical difficulty
   above the specific level assigned, the piece should not be raised to the next
   level of difficulty. That phrase should be treated as a "special practice" spot
   for learning.
5. Shelley, four-in-hand, grace notes, and sharing of handbells are directors'
   decisions based on the size of the group, number of handbells, and dexterity
   of the ringers.
6. Difficulty levels are assigned for "traditional size" handbell choirs, i,e., 11-13
   ringers. All levels are cumulative.
7. Each difficulty level is described by 8 criteria. They should be used to
   determine the level of the work before selection.
8. On multiple octave publications different levels may be assigned to specific
   octave designations. Example: a 3-5 octave publication may have the
   following designations: 3 octave - L3, and 4-5 octave - L4.
9. A plus or minus may be added to any level designation when appropriate.

Level 1

1. Meters: 4/4, C (common time), 3/4, and 2/4
2. Notes and/or Rest Values: whole, dotted-half, quarter
3. Rhythmic Elements: no subdivision of beats, simple use of ties
4. Techniques: ring, shoulder damp, Sk, TD, echo, martellato, Sw,
   RT - all with adequate preparation time
5. Handbell/Handchime Changes: none (no accidentals)
6. Articulation: see Techniques
7. Dynamic Levels: all from pp to ff in homophonic style (all ringing at
   the same level) with limited use of crescendo or diminuendo
8. Tempo: slow to moderate

Level 2

All the criteria of Level 1, and

1. Meters: 2/2, cut time, 3/2, and simple mixed meters of 2/4,
   3/4, and 4/4
2. Notes and/or Rest Values: eighths, the dotted-quarter followed by an
   eighth, simple combinations of eighths and quarters
3. Rhythmic Elements: syncopation - simple patterns such as eighth-quarter-eighth, anacrusis - pick-up notes or upbeats and their effect on the final
   measure
4. Techniques: table damp, Pl, martellato-lift, malleting, and any combination
   of two different techniques with adequate preparation time
5. Handbell/Handchime Changes: limited number of changes per ringer
   with adequate preparation time
6. Articulation: see Techniques
7. Dynamic Levels: crescendo and diminuendo, polyphonic style with simple
   dynamic contrasts (such as two voices having different dynamic levels)
8. Tempo: slow to moderate

Level 3

All the criteria of Level 2, and

1. Meters: 6/8, 3/4 (in one pulse per measure), 3/8, 9/8, 12/8, 6/4
2. Notes and/or Rest Values: sixteenth, dotted-eighth and sixteenth note
   patterns, triplet
3. Rhythmic Elements: syncopation such as
   
4. Techniques: ring and damp sixteenth note patterns
5. Handbell/Handchime Changes: moderate number of changes per ringer
   with adequate preparation
6. Articulation: combinations of techniques listed in Levels 1, 2, and 3,
   but not more than two per measure
7. Dynamic Levels: accents, more variety in dynamic levels
8. Tempo: slow to fast, some changes of tempo within the work

Level 4

All the criteria of Level 3, and

1. Meters: mixed of 6/8 and 3/4, 5/4
2. Notes and/or Rest Values: all of previous at faster tempo, triplet over two
   beats
3. Rhythmic Elements: syncopation - more complex, using sixteenth-notes
   and ties
4. Techniques: Brush Damp
5. Handbell/Handchime Changes: extensive number of changes per ringer
6. Articulation: combinations of techniques in eighth-note patterns at
   moderate tempi
7. Dynamic Levels: subito piano or subito forte without rest, more complex
   polyphony with more than two independent voices, more rapid shifts of
   dynamic levels
8. Tempo: more changes of tempo within the work

Level 5

All the criteria of Level 4, and

1. Meters: irregular meters
2. Notes and/or Rest Values: dotted rhythms in compound meters at fast
   tempi, duples against triples
3. Rhythmic Elements: syncopation - more complex, mixed patterns
   
4. Techniques: ring-hook-damp sequences, handbell passes at moderate tempi
5. Handbell/Handchime Changes: unlimited
6. Articulation: any combination at faster tempi
7. Dynamic Levels: rapid shifts between levels with no preparation, more
   frequent use of crescendo and decrescendo
8. Tempo: more changes of tempo within a work including abrupt shifts

Level 6

All the criteria of Level 5, and

1. Meters: unlimited
2. Notes and/or Rest Values: more than four eighth or sixteenth-notes to a
   pulse (such as five, six, seven, etc.), thirty-second notes
3. Rhythmic Elements: complex rhythms at any tempo
4. Techniques: all, any tempo
5. Handbell/Handchime Changes: unlimited
6. Articulation: unlimited combinations at any tempo
7. Dynamic Levels: no limits on shifts (sudden or gradual) or accents
8. Tempo: only those imposed by the nature of the instrument, complex
   changes within a work