Wind Chimes |
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 | When it comes right down to defining what they are, wind chimes are classified as bells. A bell is considered a percussion device, since it must be struck somehow to create the tone sent out when the body of it vibrates. Whether it is struck by hand, by a clapper, set in motion by the wind, or moved in the age-old tradition of bell ringers, it rings out with varying degrees of volume and tone, harmonic in modern times.
If you are in the mood to make your eyes cross, you can delve into the mysteries of inharmonic (partial multiples of the fundamental frequencies) versus harmonic (whole multiples). It is however, safe to say that modern bells are harmonic, having been crafted carefully to produce a given sound or tone, generally one that needs to be adjusted during the casting. A bell that is hung “as is”, may very well chime nicely, but is still referred to as a “maiden bell”.
Why are we talking bells you ask, when the topic is wind chimes? Because when you come right down to it, wind chimes are also bells. They are struck to make tones, and while not the traditional shape, have a history nearly as rich as that of the bell.
Imagine Man hitting his club against something…anything! And noting the sound. Somewhere along the road to civilization we found these sounds pleasing and began creating objects that would reproduce the sounds, specifically – bells. There is evidence of bell making that can be traced back to prehistoric times, with the first physical evidence of rudimentary bells dated somewhere around 3,000B.C. in the southeastern regions of Asia. Another thousand years and they had made their way through the Mediterranean and were even being cast in bronze and other materials in Egypt. China was also casting bells in bronze around the same time in 1600B.C. They were some of the first to evidence a difference in the sound, having two tones.
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Bamboo Rattan Wind Chime
- Soft sounds
- Bamboo
- 23 inches long
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Hummingbird Wind Chime
- Hummingbird design
- Made of metal, resin
- 18 x 9.5 x 4 inches
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Shangri-La Wind Chime
- Simplicity of design
- Aluminum, Bubinga finish
- 17.75 inches long
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Monarch Butterfly Wind Chime
- Ethtereal and magical
- Made of clay
- 20 inches long
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Dragonfly Wind Chime
- Dragonfly design
- Painted resin, metal
- 3 x 13 inches
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Aqua Aloha Chime
- A tropical touch
- Anondized aluminum
- 28 inches long
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Frog Wind Chime
- Frog design
- Ceramic, metal
- 21 inches
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Finch Wind Chime
- Bird watcher's gift
- Made of resin, metal
- 18 x 9.5 x 4 inches
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31 Inch Diamond Tune Wind Chime
- Diamond etched pattern
- Made from metal
- 4.5 x 1.5 x 31 inches long
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Buddha Wind Chime
- Buddha chimes
- Aluminum, ash
- 31 inches long
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Cardinal Spiral Mosaic
- Distinctive outdoor accent
- Made of metal
- 39.37 x 5.9 x 5.9 inches
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Sea Life Wind Chime
- Outdoor décor gift
- Fired clay
- 14 inches long
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Shells Solar Chime
- Sound and sight symphony
- Painted resin, metal
- 21.5 x 10.5 inches
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Turquoise Chime Medium
- Eastern design
- Wood, aluminum
- 26 inches long
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Morning Glory Solar Chime
- Beautiful bouquet
- Solar powered
- 18.5 x 8.5 inches
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Mosaic Bumblebee Wind Chime
- Brilliant sparkles
- Bumble bee design
- 39.25 x 6 x 6 inches.
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Emperor Gong
- Décor excellence
- Bronze, wood
- 34.5 inches long
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Fariy with Bubbles Wind Chime
- Whimsical appeal
- Painted resin
- 19 x 5 x 3 inches
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Wind Chimes
Eastern Asia can also claim to be the land of origin for wind chimes. They were especially revered as religious articles, either driving away spirits or attracting the dearly departed. Buddhists in particular hung them everywhere around their temples where the open structure format allowed for any and all breezes to stir the various pieces into motion and sound.
The standard perception of wind chimes is a set of metal tubes suspended from a top bar, with either a round “platform” in the center, or perhaps a ball. The tubes can be solid, but are generally hollow, since this can induce them to make various tones. The purpose of the dividing platform is to keep some order amongst the tubes which can run from three or four, into dozens of wires/threads, all of different lengths. Those with a ball or other solid center are designed to create sound not only by hollow tubes striking each other, but by hitting a solid object which creates a different kind of sound.
Are wind chimes harmonious? That’s a matter of opinion. You might get further asking if they are pleasing to the ear, and for the most part they are, with perhaps a few exceptions for people who are particularly sensitive to certain tones.
The sound the tubes make depends entirely on their length, thickness, the type of material, and where the tubes are struck. In well-made chimes, center balls are set to strike the tube at its middle, where the fundamental frequency is to be found. Just as with bells, these tubes can be cast and crafted to strike certain notes, and in a set, notes that are harmonious with one another.
But as with many décor accents, it’s all a matter of taste, and today the term wind chimes encompasses almost any creation that uses suspended articles striking against each other to create sound. So while you will find wind chimes in a wide variety of metals, some tuned but mostly not, you’ll also discover a fascinating array of materials that give off other attractive sounds, like bamboo, terra cotta, porcelain, resin and more.
Not only that, but designs have moved way beyond the traditional tube shape and now includes flowers, birds, animals, shells and other shapes to create a decoration that is as pleasing to the eye, as it is to the ear.
But of course, there are always those who are either tone deaf, or really find the clashing of any material more of an aggravation than soothing sound therapy. Those individuals may find rain chains more to their tastes. Still technically a chime, since the sound produced is from rain striking the metal, these are lovely accents that can be hung from a tree limb, porch eave or patio railing where they will catch the rain and send it flowing down over a series of cups or platforms, and interconnected links. |
