Please explain "bell tone"

Whistle
1

Hello. I’ve read several posts that mention a bell tone. Can somone please explain what this is?

Thanks,
Bob

2

The bell note is the tone a whistle makes with all the holes covered; the lowest note.

3

Thanks. For some reason I was thinking it was the first harmonic of that note an octave above. I guess that’s from my guitar backgroud.

Bob

4

I.e. except the “bell” hole* covered; else you’d hit one octave lower than belltone. :wink:

  • just the end of the tube

This would be true on a tabor pipe (three-holes whistle). These have hardly a bell tone to speak of, and overblow immediately to the first harmonic: D’-A’-D" instead of D-D’-A’-D"

:boggle: when thinking these are among the simplest, oldest, musical instruments around…