2 Bells Mounted: B
B, the last of the seven naturals and the one that leans hardest toward the note above it. A child grading the scale usually hesitates here, because B and the high C sit close enough that the difference stops being obvious and has to be listened for. That hesitation is the material working: the easy comparisons build the habit, and the hard ones build the ear. Metal on a wooden base, for ages 3 to 6.
“The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, 'The children are now working as if I did not exist.'”
The 2 Bells Mounted introduce pitch discrimination through precise auditory experiences in the Montessori classroom.
- Develops auditory discrimination between different pitches
- Builds concentration through focused listening activities
- Establishes foundational concepts for musical education
- Strengthens memory through sound matching exercises
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These bells, each producing distinct tones, allow children to isolate and compare sounds systematically. The mounted design ensures bells remain at consistent angles and positions, enabling reliable sound production essential for developing auditory discrimination. Through striking these bells, children discover that different objects produce different pitches, laying groundwork for musical understanding. The B tone specifically provides a reference point for future pitch matching activities. This material bridges sensorial exploration with early musical education, as children learn to distinguish between sounds through repeated comparison. The bells' fixed mounting eliminates variables in sound production, allowing children to focus purely on pitch differences. By working with just two contrasting tones initially, children build confidence in their ability to perceive subtle auditory distinctions before progressing to more complex sound materials.
How to present it
Follow the Montessori method of presentation for optimal child development.
Place both mounted bells on a table at child's height, with mallets beside them. Ensure adequate space between bells for clear sound distinction. Work in a quiet area of the classroom.
- 1
Demonstrate striking the first bell gently with the mallet, allowing the sound to resonate fully
Hold the mallet loosely to produce the clearest tone - 2
Strike the second bell after the first sound fades completely
Pause between strikes to let each tone register fully - 3
Invite the child to strike each bell, observing their technique
Guide hand position if needed without over-correcting - 4
Play simple games like 'same or different' using the two tones
Start with obvious differences before subtle variations - 5
Introduce vocabulary: 'high', 'low', 'same', 'different' as appropriate
Use minimal language, letting the sounds speak for themselves
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