Hint of the Month

Why do you cover your foam pads? Try an experiment ~ lay a corduroy cover over one pad that's covered in -say, muslin; lay a corduroy cover over a "nekkid" foam pad. Then play bells on each, using various stopped sounds: mallets, plucking, table damping, marts, and listen to the resonance - or lack of it - on each pad. Is there a difference? As a solo ringer, I dread ringing on borrowed pads that are covered because of both the lack of resonance and the ease of bells rolling into the valleys between pads. If the muslin cover is tight, bells also roll, even with a corduroy cover on top.

BUT! If you do want to cover the pads, and have trouble inserting foam into the covers, here's a trick: Take a large plastic bag and cut the side seams. Wrap the foam pad in the plastic bag and slide it into the cover (or Tote-Pac). Once the foam is in place, simply pull out the plastic bag. 

I hope everyone will have a fun summer, and will take advantage of attending the National Seminar.

Happy Ringing!