788 Blasinstrumente
This paper takes a practical approach to developing 2D, flat, sheet brass bell patterns for brasswind instruments, as taught at the Imperial and Royal Musical Instrument-Making School in Graslitz. This study includes a geometric analysis of 23 functional flat sheet brass bell patterns and their corresponding mandrels from the collection at the Bundesfachschule für Musikinstrumentenbau Ludwigsburg. These results were compared with two 1920s drawings by Max Rölz, which provided essential insights into the method used. Our analysis demonstrates that the Graslitz Method offers a reliable framework for creating bell patterns. However, it still requires empirical work and trial-and-error adjustments. Despite its limitations, the Graslitz Method remains a valuable tool in contemporary brasswind instrument-making.
