In order to investigate the relative importance of short‐range order and local topology in determining the vibrational properties of group IV semiconductors, we introduce a cluster Bethe lattice method. A cluster of atoms with any desired configuration is treated exactly. The rest of the system is treated within the Bethe Peierls Approximation, which retains the short‐range tetrahedral order. Main features of perfect crystaol density of states are already present in small clusters. A few cases of effects of disorder are studied.