Abstract: The Great Bell of Yongle cast in the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty is a prayer bell.By finite element analysis of circular conical shell,the natural frequencies and vibra-tional modes of Yongle Bell have been calculated.These results are consistent with that from the spectral analysis of bell sound.Within the range of calculation,the law of nodal circle distribution for each vibrational mode is presented.By comparison,the influences of the waist and lip thickness changes on the bell timbre are discussed.The tuning for A₃ and E₃ partial tones was made by changing the thickness at the waist and lip.These partials play harmonious part of the bell sound.