Bell Tones with Flavio

Post date: Nov 09, 2015 7:38:39 PM

Last Friday, 06Nov15, the Bells ‘15 group had an information session with Flavio Zambrano, a bellologist working for the Italian Association of Campanology, about the founding of bells. We were taught technical information about the notes produced depending on the dimensions of a bell. The nominal note is where the clapper hits the bell and is usually a C note. From there, the upper octave, third, ground tone, quint, and prime can be identified. A note changes as the volume of the bell changes. For example, as the volume decreases the frequency is inversely proportional so it increases and vice versa. Bell notes have become so technical that it is important to base the founding off of mathematical equations, as the adjustment of the bell’s thickness, located where the clapper hits, is very important.

When we will measure the bells of the Cannaregio towers, it will be important to measure the diameter of the bell mouth in addition to the thickness. This is because with these measurements, the weight, volume, note, and historical purpose can be categorized to document changes over time. All bells are not the same so these data can also determine how the bell deforms over years.

Flavio also discussed the three main ringing systems of traditional and nontraditional methods. First is the fixed method. A bell is hung by on a yoke at the traditional point and a hammer taps against the side of the bell when it is designated to. Next, the flying clapper method combines the first one with a clapper inside of the bell. When the bell is summoned to swing, the clapper “kisses” the bell and is considered to be “free” to swing from side to side. The final method is a nontraditional installation of a folding clapper. The yoke surrounds the top of the bell, restricting the angle of movement. The clapper results in a “sticking” sound and is not as clean. This method, however is more beneficial for the tower, even though the sound is compromised.