Bell’s Music

Fusion technique of bells has remained unchanged over the centuries, however, studies for the definition of sound are more recent and began to assert itself only in the 17th century. The procedures to define the “voice” of the bells (the note possessed by each Bell) was first described by Diderot in his Encyclopedie; nowadays, except for some tricks learned with experience and new materials that were unavailable before, the procedure is still the same.

In order to get a perfect sound from a bell, it is necessary to follow strictly rules of sizes and thickness. These rules, that basically are the relation between variables, are defined in the “Scala Campanaria” (“Bell Scale.”). Among the others, the parameter that most affect the sound is the thickness: the dominant tone is given by shot of Clapper on the rim, which is the thickest part of the Bell. The beat produces vibrations throughout the structure that turn into upper and lower harmonics.

On a late 800 note, in regard to the dominant note, we read: “If the musical note is “increasing” we must reduce the thickness of the bell, if the note is “decreasing” it is the diameter the one that has to be reduced “.

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