How Does a Hand-Chime Work?
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Hand Chimes and Hand Bells
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Hand chimes were created as a companion to the iconic hand bells used during many church services. Like hand bells, hand chimes play single pitches and are operated by choirs of musicians, each person responsible for just a few chimes each and playing one or two at a time. Hand chimes are also similar to hand bells in sound and the two instruments are often played in conjunction.
Hand chimes were originally developed as an easier-to-play, sturdier alternative to hand bells, meant to help beginners in learning the art. They consist of a hollow, rectangular metal bar and an attached mallet device.
Mechanisms
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While free-standing chime instruments, such as tubular bells, are played by being struck with a detached, hand-held mallet (usually made of materials such as rubber, plastic, or tight-wound yarn). On a hand chime, a small mallet is attached to the chime bar with a hinge. Playing the chime involves moving the instrument so that the mallet hits the bar. This apparatus is called a "clapper."
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Playing
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Hand chimes are played in a manner similar to hand bells with the musician holding the chime in mid air, above eye level, then moving the wrist and arm in motion that is mostly fluid, but involves a sharp motion in the wrist. Proper execution of this technique requires practice because the mallet must not strike the chime too hard (both for the sake of the sound and to keep from damaging the instrument) and must strike only once.
Pitch and Acoustics
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The pitch of an individual hand chime is dependent upon its size. The larger the chime, the deeper the pitch will be. This is because greater mass and weight means that the chime will vibrate more slowly when struck, translating into a lower pitch.
The shape of the chime also helps create greater resonance. The metal has a cloven or fork-like shape which creates a fuller tone as each half of the chime vibrates separately.
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