Ghanta

The ghanta is a member of the struck idiophones (Hornbostel–Sachs 111.242.122). Listen to 1 recording and learn how it makes its sound.

Listen to the ghanta

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0:45CC0 1.0by the_very_Real_HorstWikimedia Commons

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Tip: press play to see the sound's live frequency spectrum in blue over the waveform.

How the ghanta makes its sound

In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the ghanta belongs to the struck idiophones: the body is struck directly – bells, gongs, xylophones and cymbals.

More broadly it is one of the idiophones, where the solid body of the instrument itself vibrates, without strings or a stretched membrane.

Players shape its sound through technique and materials; the resonating body filters the raw vibration, boosting some harmonics and damping others.

From Wikipedia

Ghanta (Sanskrit: घण्टा, IAST: ghaṇṭā; Tibetan: drilbu) is the Sanskrit term for a ritual bell used in Hindu religious practices. The ringing of the bell produces what is regarded as an auspicious sound. Hindu temples generally have one metal bell hanging at the entrance and devotees ring the bell while entering the temple which is an essential part in preparation of having a darshan. A bell is also rung by the pujari during pūjā or yajna – during the waving of light, burning of incense in front of the deity, while bathing the deity, and while offering food or flowers. There are bells specially made to produce the long strains of the sound Om.