On Constructing tubular bells - (Discussions with Sue Sumner)

-----Original Message-----
From: Sue Sumner
Sent: Thursday, 11 September 2003 5:51 AM
To: jim@percussionclinic.com
Subject: COnstructing tubular bells

I am trying to find out how to make some bells out of old scaffolding which is approximately 2" in diameter. I need to know what length equals specific notes, or if its just a matter of trial and error. At the moment the full length rings at Db. Hoping you can help, and enjoy the site

Sue

MAKE AND TUNE YOUR OWN WINDCHIMES!
Awesome ebook!

Pretty much trial and error Sue. It will depend on the metal the pipe is made from. There is is some info on this in the articles which you have probably already read. Once you get two or three notes roughly tuned, you can generally take pretty good guesses about the length of the rest. Be careful though - always take a bit less off than you think - its so easy to be stuck too short, and there's not much to be done about it. Start by tuning the longer ones first - at least then you can recycle any mistakes by moving on to the next note up.
Jim

For more help on instrument building you can email Jim.

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