Chimes
Chimes are freely resonating metal tubes or bars that are struck
to produce a pitched note with a long sustain. They are particularly useful in
this area of work because they offer a big reward for minimal contact with a beater
or stick. Participants with limited mobility enjoy the opportunity of being
able to produce a distinct sound independently.
There are several
types of chimes, which sometimes have different names according to their
makers.
Hand
chimes that incorporate a built in striker, are tuned and coloured white and
black like the keys on a piano. It is advisable to use all white ones or all
black together, depending on what other instruments are available at the time.
Hanging
chimes, including wind chimes, shimmers and bar chimes can create silvery,
arpeggio like sounds.
Energy
or Power chimes have one or more bars suspended by a thin cord above a
wooden base and produce a high note similar to a temple bell with a wooden
beater.
Some chime bars that have a separate resonator and produce a more distinct pitch than air chimes when played with a rubber beater.
Sets of individual hanging chimes can be made from aluminum
tubing. Precise measurements for the lengths of metal tubing required for
specific pitches and where to drill holes for suspension strings are available
on the Internet. A set of chimes is great to hang from a low ceiling, where
they can be played with beaters or removed and held in the hand. They also
produce moving shadows as they swing.
