Note to Weight range analysis
updated 17th October 2003

Weight to note range.

I realised recently we are all used to the information provided in "Dove" listed alphabetically, but wondered what the data would look like in a different format. The weights tables in the back of the book go a little further by arranging the data by weight, however this is still restricted to number of bells in the ring

The data used was is from the On-line version of Dove on the Central Council website. It was imported into an excel spreadsheet edited and sorted into its current condition. It includes all rings of 4 bells and above and those worldwide. It will be noticed that sharp and flat notes have been left in the format quoted, although in the context used, some are basically the same note, i.e. G#=Ab, A#=Bb, C#=Db, D#=Eb.

These are several simple spreadsheets created to show the relationship between weights and notes of tenors.

The raw data ordered purely by weight is contained within an Excel97 spreadsheet. Download it here. (Approx.file size 900kb).

  • For the spreadsheet showing the range of tenor weights for each note in turn, download it here (approx. file size 850kb). This also includes a summary for the lightest and heaviest tenors for each note.

  • Another spreadsheet for the range of notes for each tenor weight, rounded down to hole cwts will eventually be placed here although this isn't finished yet.

    Additional information

    Having created the spreadsheet it was very easy to further sort the data to discover other unusual information listed for some entries.

  • All the rings in round towers, detached towers and unusual tuned, non major scale rings are contained in a further spreadsheet. Download it here (approx file size 100kb).

    Background to the analysis.

    This isn't a particularly scientific exercise and it does have some shortcomings. There are many factors that affect the stated tenor notes (founder, age, diameter, thickness, profile, pitch scales, errors? etc) which wouldn't be taken into account. This exercise would be far more accurate and meaningful using the frequency in Hz or the note +/- x cents. Although this would be a mammoth task perhaps this is something that can be done later, to add some or all diameter, date, founder and frequency to the list?

    For example this spreadsheet doesn't take into account the fact that one tenor may be in Bb-45cents and another tenor in Bb+45cents but are both quoted as being in Bb although are nealry a semitone apart and therefore would sound different.

    The point of this little exercise is to simply identify the weight range of each quoted note and all the unusual/extremely tuned tenors.

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