Wind Chimes Melody

The Beauty of Wind Chimes

Wind-chimes inspire a connection between ourselves and the natural world. They are a beautiful way to immediately improve the home environment, both visually and aurally. They can add a charming accent to any outdoor decor by combining visual beauty with pleasing and harmonious sounds.

They are hanging sculptures that create musical tones when set in motion by the wind. They usually consist of several solid or hollow tubes suspended from a support and arranged in a circle with a clapper hanging down between them. When the wind pushes the clapper, it strikes the tubes and produces a tone. Since the tubes are usually of varying lengths or diameters, each tone is different from the others, and this creates the pleasing harmony. Wind chimes are candy for the eyes and ears.

Types

They come in a large variety of styles, colors, materials and sizes. They can be constructed of metal, wood, glass, bamboo, ceramic, plastic and even seashells.

Metal chimes are a common sight on patios and porches, and produce the sharpest and boldest sounds. Brass, copper, steel, and aluminum are the common materials used, each producing its own unique sound.

Wood and bamboo are used to obtain more subtle and soothing tones. Bamboo, especially, is an excellent material which is famous for its visual beauty as well as the soothing tones it produces. These chimes probably have the most “natural” sound since the material is not man-made. They are also available in a wide variety of styles, although with a little bit of ability and the right tools you could build your own set.

Glass chimes come in a magnificent array of colors and shapes and produce a high-pitched, delicate sound. Many are decorated with birds, butterflies, animals, trees and other shapes. Some are made with metal integrated with the glass, while others are all glass. The colors produced can be quite stunning, especially in the sunlight.

Polyresin, or plastic, chimes are an inexpensive way to upgrade any outdoor setting. They can also be made of PVC tubing, which allows the average person to easily make their own.

Ceramic chimes are usually designed for indoor use and possess incredible artistic beauty. When activated by moving air they give off a pleasing tinkling sound. Ceramics lend themselves quite well to this purpose since they are the medium of choice for many artists.