Bell trivia questions.
What is a bell?
A: A bell is a directly struck idiophone percussion instrument.
What shape do most bells have?
A: 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 what?
A: An internal "clapper" or "uvula", an external hammer, or—in small
bells—by a small loose sphere enclosed within the body of the bell.
What are bells usually cast from?
A: Bell metal (a type of bronze) for its resonant properties but can also be
made from other hard materials.
Some small bells such as ornamental bells or cowbells
can be made from what?
A: Cast or pressed metal, glass, or ceramic.
Large bells such as a church, clock and tower bells are
normally cast from what?
A: Bell metal.
Many public or institutional buildings house bells,
most commonly as what?
A: Clock bells to sound the hours and quarters.
Historically, what have bells been associated with?
A: Religious rites and are still used to call communities together for
religious services.
What is the study of bells called?
A: Campanology.
The earliest archaeological evidence of bells dates
from when?
A: The 3rd millennium BC, and is traced to the Yangshao culture of Neolithic
China.
Clapper-bells made of what have been found in several
archaeological sites?
A: pottery.
When did the first bells appear in West Asia?
A: In 1000 BC.
The earliest metal bells, with one found in the Taosi
site and four in the Erlitou site, are dated to when?
A: About 2000 BC.
By the 13th century BC, where were bells weighing over
150 kg being cast?
A: In China.
After 1000 AD, what became the most commonly used metal
for bells instead of bronze?
A: Iron.
When was the earliest dated iron bell manufactured?
A: In 1079, found in Hubei Province.
Assyrian bells dated to the 7th century BC were how
high?
A: Around 4 inches high.
Roman bells dated to the 1st and 2nd century AD were
how high?
A: Around 8 inches high.
The book of Exodus in the Bible notes that small gold
bells were worn as ornaments on what?
A: The hem of the robe of the high priest in Jerusalem.
Among the ancient Greeks where were handbells used?
A: In camps and garrisons and by patrols that went around to visit
sentinels.
Among the Romans what was announced by a bell?
A: The hour of bathing.
They also used them in the home, as an ornament and
emblem, and bells were placed where?
A: Around the necks of cattle and sheep so they could be found if they
strayed.
As late as the 10th century AD, European bells were no
higher what?
A: 2 feet in height.
In the western world, the common form of bell is a
what?
A: A church bell or town bell, which is hung within a tower or bell cote.
What is a carillon?
A: A musical instrument consisting of at least 23 cast bronze cup-shaped
bells.
It is tuned so that the bells can be played serially to
produce a melody, or what?
A: Sounded together to play a chord.
