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Cymbal & Bell Patterns for Kirtan
This Guide gives general cymbal and bell patterns for kirtan in SRF contexts. In the charts, o = open and – = muted.
See also the Percussionist Aptitudes for Kirtan Accompaniment Guide. Charts for specific chants are on the Cymbals & Bells Resources.
Effective Cymbal & Bell Patterns
Notes
Pattern 3 works well at slower tempos.
Pattern 4 is good for certain sections, such as "Om Guru" and "Jai Guru". Bells can play eighths or sixteenths.
Pattern 5 fits chants such as Opal Flame, They Have Heard Thy Name, and the 3/4 section of O Thou Blue Sky.
The #1 bell pattern works well with cymbal patterns 2–4.
Cymbal Pattern Examples
Example recordings
Pattern A: 2022 Convocation (Bro. Devananda), "Door of My Heart" 47:16, on YouTube
Pattern A: 2025 Convocation (Bro. Chidananda), "Light the Lamp" 19:09, on YouTube
Pattern A‴: 2025 Convocation (Bro. Devananda), "O God Beautiful" 1:58:01, on YouTube
Pattern C: 2025 Convocation (Bro. Devananda), "Dawn Chant" 27:28, on YouTube
Bell Patterns
Bells are an optional instrument. In these charts, > = accent, ↓ = down stroke and ↑ = up stroke.
