How the Bell cymbal makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the Bell cymbal belongs to the membranophones (drums): sound comes from a vibrating stretched membrane.
Its timbre – the colour that lets you tell it apart from other instruments playing the same note – comes from the mix of overtones its body and resonator emphasise.
From Wikipedia
A bell cymbal, bell splash cymbal, or ice bell is a small, very thick cymbal with little if any taper, used as an effects cymbal in a drum kit. The sound produced when striking the bell cymbal with a drumstick is a distinctive high-pitched ping sound with a long sustain. Some manufacturers list bell cymbals as a type of splash cymbal, others as a distinct type.
The name bell cymbal is suggestive both of its tone, which is distinctly bell like, and also the earliest examples, which were made by drummers cutting down a larger cymbal (often one damaged at the rim) so that only the bell of the cymbal remained.
Other membranophones
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bell cymbal sound like?
As one of the membranophones, its sound comes from the way sound comes from a vibrating stretched membrane.
What type of instrument is the Bell cymbal?
It is classified as membranophones (drums) (Hornbostel–Sachs 2.078).
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q4883310 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Bell cymbal – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Andrewa – CC BY-SA 3.0