TUBULAR BELLS

acoustics

Description of the device

Idiophones – according to Curt Sachs’ instrument classification, idiophones are a group of musical instruments that create sounds primarily by the vibration of the whole instrument. The vibrator (or the source of the sound) in an idiophone is a solid material of fixed, natural elasticity. Usually the whole instrument is the vibrator, so this group of instruments is also called autophones. Idiophones can produce diffused sounds or sounds of specific frequency. Pitch of the sound is determined by physical properties of the vibrating element (primarily its mass).

Phenomenon

Striking the pipe causes the instruments vibrations that are then carried through the air and reach your ears. A so-called standing wave is formed inside the pipe – its wavelength depends on the length of the pipe. Wavelength is closely connected to the wave frequency, which in turn determines the sound pitch – the shorter the pipe, the higher the sound.

How to use it

Strike the pipes one after another with the stick (the mallet). Each of them produces a different sound from the musical range. Make the bells vibrate by striking the pipes near the upper ends or closer to the center. Examine how the timbre of the sound depends on where you strike. Tubular bells are tuned within an octave.