A bell and method of tuning a bell with its lowest frequency partials at f1=f and f2=3f=2. The simultaneous presence of physical tones at these partial frequencies yields a difference tone, perceived by the listener, at f2f1=3f=2f=f=2. The difference tone is subharmonic, in that its perceived frequency (f=2) is below the frequency of the fundamental (f). Preferably, the bell has one or more additional partials at frequencies fn=(n+1)f=2, with n 2 f3; 4; 5: : : g, strengthening the listener's perception of the difference tone at f=2. The bell thus yields a strike tone at f=2 but has a characteristic dimension (e.g. height or diameter) equal to that of conventional bells with a strike tone at f, providing art eightfold savings in bell mass.