File puptcrit/puptcrit.0807, message 68


Date: Mon, 07 Jul 2008 21:11:08 -0500
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
From: Joe Dunfee <joe-AT-dunfee.com>
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Foot-operated desk bell


I've never done this, but here are a few ideas...

If it is a puppet on stage who is apparently doing the ringing, it 
may be natural to have the same arm do the ringing by perhaps hitting 
it with an elbow. You probably have more control over your elbow than 
your foot, and any accidental movement by the puppet may be acceptable.

But, back to the foot pedal concept.  Tie a 24" string to the end of 
the pedal and connect the string to your stage just over 24" from the 
floor. Mount the bell on the wall of the stage, perhaps half way up 
the string and just to the side of the string.  The "heel" of the 
pedal can just rest on the floor. Take a clamp-on fishing weight, 
perhaps the weight of about 5 pennies, and clamp it on the string 
next to the bell.  The weight should not be touching the bell.

Finally, take a length of elastic and tie it to the string where the 
weight is connected, and pull the string to the side a few 
inches.  It may be that you need to actually pull mostly down and a 
bit to the side with the elastic.  Then, when you step on the pedal, 
you start the weight to go towards the bell, and strike it.  But, as 
you continue pressure on the pedal, the weight is pulled away from the bell.

It may take some playing with how much weight, and the tension on the 
elastic to get it right.


Joe Dunfee  joe-AT-dunfee.com
Gordonville, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. 

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