Wind chimes are a pleasant addition to almost any yard or patio. The randomness of the music is soothing, and hearing them reminds you that even the hottest days have cooling breezes. The best wind chimes are tuned to play specific notes.
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Difficulty:
Challenging
Instructions
1
Begin with several lengths of hard wood such as maple or oak in the shape you want. Drill a hole through each about an inch from the end and suspend them.
2
Choose the notes you want your chimes to sound by playing them on a piano or using your computer to find sound files that represent the notes you want. Most people find the notes of a pentatonic scale most pleasing, but you can use random notes if you prefer.
3
Strike the longest lengths of wood with another piece held firmly in your hand. Choose the one that approximates the lowest note you want, then trim the length to raise the tone or sand the surface to lower the tone. Repeat this for each note you want to reproduce.
4
Stand the chimes in a circle so they are close together but not touching. Measure the size of the circle, then cut a wooden disk the same size. Drill a hole through the center of the disk, then a number of equally-spaced holes around the perimeter of the disk, one for each chime.
5
Cut several lengths of jute or twine four feet long and string the chimes through the disk.
6
Build the clapper out of a small wooden disk, a wooden ball, a metal ball or any other material that will solidly strike the chimes. Use a second wide, flat piece of wood or metal for the weight (to catch the wind and move the clapper). String the clapper so it hangs in the center of the chimes and the weight hangs well below the chimes.
7
Gather the lengths of jute or twine together above the disk and tie a knot. The disk acts as a natural space, allowing the tops of the chimes to hang at the same level. Hang the knot from a hook.
Tips & Warnings
For a popular pentatonic scale, try C, D, F, G, A and C.
You may want to choose notes that will play a familiar melody if the chimes are struck in the right order. Hearing the melody is a rare and wonderful occurrence.
Wind chimes have existed since 1100 B.C., when the Chinese developed feng-ling chimes for religious ceremonies. Buddhist monks still hang wind chimes...
