How to Use Handbells to Underscore a Reading
Musical underscoring in worship (traditional and contemporary) is a creative way to elevate spoken texts, connect musical elements that may be separated by reading or prayer, or highlight a drama or moment of prayer in the service. Today, I'm sharing a step-by-step guide to creating your own musical underscores for worship using handbells.
Creating Unique Musical Underscores for Worship: My Step-By-Step Approach
You know when you go see a movie and you get a feeling for what’s about to happen before it happens? It’s not the dialogue that does that, it’s the musical underscoring.
A musical underscore is music played underneath dialogue or acting of some kind, often to help set the scene or create a mood. (source)
In movies, it heightens our emotions and helps us connect to the story and the characters in a more personal way.
The same is true for worship.
I'm Ashley—musician, educator, writer, and entrepreneur. Here, I share creative ideas and practical resources to help you build a successful career as a musician and teacher. Learn more >>
ONLINE COURSES
Develop the skills you need to lead and teach creatively and confidently with mini online training courses and workshops designed specifically for church musicians & music educators. Learn more and enroll >>
Get monthly updates
Get my free, 7-min. monthly newsletter—loved by 23,476+ musicians & educators. Subscribe >>
Listen to the podcast
Practical and pedagogical strategies, teaching
reflections, and insights from the field of music teaching and learning. Listen and subscribe >>
Printable Sheet MUSIC
Original music compositions for handbells, unison/2-part and
SATB choirs, solo piano & chamber instrumental ensembles. Buy now >>
Resource Library
A collection of printables, templates, and workbooks for music educators, piano
teachers, church musicians, and
music entrepreneurs. Browse the library >>