Bell Ringing Components

Mechanical Components

Bell

The bell itself is the resonant portion of the system that provides a musical tone when struck. The General Campanology page provides a list of additional pages for further study into the physics of bells.

Striker

We use the term striker to describe an element with an arm and head that excites a percussive instrument to resonate when they come into contact with a blow of some force. Actuation of the striker, regulation of the force and mass of the head for various purposes are described below.

Hand held mallet

Used to play orchestral bells, gongs and metallophones, these mallets consist of sticks with heads of relatively soft materials.

Internal clapper

We refer to any striker that is mounted inside the bell as a clapper.

For free swinging bells, the clapper is usually mounted to a hinge near the top center of the bell, aligned with the swinging axis of the bell so that it can strike the bell both fore and aft. Gravity and the motion of the clapper pivot relative to the bell gimbal axis causes the free clapper to strike the bell in its distinctive ding-dong fashion.

For stationary bells, the clapper is typically supported close to one ideal strike point and an externally applied force moves the head toward the bell for a single strike.

Suspension

Swinging Bell

A swinging bell

Headstock

A swinging bell is typically gimbal mounted to a headstock