The Sound of Bells articles are based on a series written by David Kelly for publication in The Ringing World. The series has been altered by adding sound and colour as well as additional material. The author would like to thank all those who have helped with the production of the articles, especially David Strong and Bill Hibbert whose expert help and assistance have proved invaluable.
For the purposes of the articles the term "bell" refers to a typical church bell and not to a handbell as the difference in profiles, in particular the thicker soundbow of a church bell, creates different harmonic spectra.
An introduction to musical scales. The keynote of a bell and notes of bells in a ring. The natural & equal tempered scales. Describes the different conventions used for the Note of a bell. Defines a "cent". Sound characteristics of musical instruments. Harmonic series of different instruments. Explains the vibrational modes of a bell. Diagram of the main vibrational modes of a bell. Explains why some bells beat. Defines the formulae governing the sound of a bell. Increasing the bell's size to increase the loudness. Tuning a bell. Canon Simpson's work on the sound of bells. Understanding a tonal analysis report. How to analyse a bell's sound. References for the Sound of Bells articles. An unusual find, an ancient bell tuned to the "modern" standard.
