Name of Instrument:
Bell
Family:
Percussion
How to Play:
Bells can be made from various materials including clay, glass or metal. It also ranges in shape and size. It may be played by lightly shaking it as in hand bells or by striking it using a metal or wooden striker or mallet.
Chimes are small bells which are arranged in a musical sequence.
Carillons are a group of tuned bells no less than 23 pieces. Bells can also be seen and heard on clock towers such as the famous Rajabai Tower in Mumbai.
First Known Bells:
It was near Babylon when the oldest bell was found. Bells have been widely used throughout history in different parts of the world like England, Egypt, Japan, China and India. It has been used for various purposes such as calling people to pray or announcing the start of a battle. The largest bell can be found in Moscow and it's called
Tsar Kolokol III. It weighs 400,000 pounds but was never rang and was damaged in a fire.
Musicians Who Used Bells:
A notable musician who used bells in some of his compositions was
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Additional Resource About Bells:
History of Bells
