Bell
A bell is a directly struck idiophone percussion instrument. Most bells have the shape of a hollow cup that when struck vibrates in a single strong strike tone, with its sides forming an efficient resonator. The strike may be made by an internal "clapper" or "uvula", an external hammer, or—in small bells—by a small loose sphere enclosed within the body of the bell (jingle bell).

Bells are usually cast from bell metal (a type of bronze) for its resonant properties, but can also be made from other hard materials. This depends on the function. Some small bells such as ornamental bells or cowbells can be made from cast or pressed metal, glass or ceramic, but large bells such as a church, clock and tower bells are normally cast from bell metal.

Bells intended to be heard over a wide area can range from a single bell hung in a turret or bell-gable, to a musical ensemble such as an English ring of bells, a carillon or a Russian zvon which are tuned to a common scale and installed in a bell tower. Many public or institutional buildings house bells, most commonly as clock bells to sound the hours and quarters.

Historically, bells have been associated with religious rites, and are still used to call communities together for religious services. Later, bells were made to commemorate important events or people and have been associated with the concepts of peace and freedom. The study of bells is called campanology.
Q5280486
directly struck idiophone
Concept
Q133163
percussion instrument
Concept
Q2238224
strike tone
Concept
Q349669
resonator
Concept
Q956406
jingle bell
Concept
Q1660564
bell metal
Concept
Q34095
bronze
Concept
Q12558
bell-gable
Concept
Q7334807
ring of bells
UNK
Q505174
carillon
Concept
Q7382101
zvon
Concept
Q200334
bell tower
Concept
Q1480017
clock bells
UNK
Q168058
campanology
Concept
Q101401
Bell
Concept
Q101401
Bell
Concept
part of
studies
subclass of
instance of