The most well-known chimes are wind chimes and bar chimes, which don't just add some magic to the atmosphere of the average back garden, but are actually played by percussionists. Both bar and wind chimes are made up of suspended pipes, which in the case of bar chimes, are arranged in order of pitch so they can be played in ascending or descending order.
Wind Chimes
As we've already mentioned, wind chimes are a classic sight in gardens and are made of hanging pipes of differing lengths that can be made of wood or metal. The pipes usually hang from some form of cord and maybe a wooden plate or block so that, as they move in the wind, the pipes collide to make a tinkling, restful sound. If made of wood, wind chimes have a warmer and more 'clonking' sound to them when compared to the more tinkly sound of metal chimes.
Bar Chimes
While bar chimes do follow the same idea as wind chimes, the suspended pipes are arranged in order of length, because the longer the pipe (or bar) the lower the pitch when it's struck. Since the pipes are arranged in order of pitch, they can be played in ascending or descending order, and are much more likely to made of metal than wood.
Energy Chimes
There are also energy chimes, which, unlike bar or wind chimes, are mounted on a wooden plank. This can either be a single chime or a set of three chimes, each carefully tuned to resonate at a very specific frequency to support sound therapy techniques. Some chimes will be tuned to the frequency of specific chakras and are designed to aid the rebalancing of the energetic body, reduce stress and improve self-esteem. For more, see our complete range of meditation and sound therapy instruments.
Good to know: Chimes have a similar sound to the glockenspiel, which you can find in our xylophone department.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chimes
What are chimes?
Bar chimes and wind chimes are both percussive musical instruments that make a sparkling, tinkly sound. Bar chimes are suspended in a row in order of pitch and are usually played with a stick or beater, while wind chimes are suspended in a circle, are moved by the wind and collide randomly.
