The wind chime is an ancient musical instrument that is performed by the wind. The wind is literally a wind chime’s composer and performer.  The chime, or also known as a wind bell, is made in three basic configurations:

* a cluster of similar objects (copper or aluminum tubes, seashells, pieces of sea glass or stained glass, tubes of bamboo, or fragments of pottery) that hang from a central wooden support and sound when moved by the wind;
* a cluster of objects including a clapper suspended from the support that chimes as the breezes blow against a flat plate or wind catcher at the end of the clapper;
* a bell with a long clapper attached to a wind catcher that plays as the wind strikes the clapper against the bell.

History

The wind chime is a product of different cultures from different periods throughout history.  Bells were first invented in prehistoric times, and the earliest evidence of them dates from 3000 B.C. and was found at archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. By 2000 B.C., bells had been developed independently along the shores of the Mediterranean and were being cast from bronze by the Egyptians.

The wind chimes also have roots in the ancient civilizations of Asia where the uses of wind chimes were both musical and artistic. The Chinese were casting bells by 1100 B.C., and they created the wind bell that they call feng-ling. Wind chimes were also considered religious objects that were believed to attract kind spirits and drive away evil ones. The Buddhists revered wind bells and hung them by the hundreds from the eaves of shrines, pagodas, temples, and in caves. In Japan, China, Tibet, and Bali, the religious custom was adopted in the secular world, and many homes were similarly decked with the distinctive chimes. In Japan, wind chimes are called fürin. Even today in many parts of the world, wind chimes are considered an important part of Feng Shui for the home.

Bamboo wind chimes have very ancient roots in particular where bamboo grows naturally. In Bali especially, large sets of bamboo chimes are hung in the rice fields where they actually have a very practical use of scaring away birds and animals from the crops as well as attracting favorable spirits.

Metal sets of tuned, tubular bells were perfected for use in orchestras in the nineteenth century. Precisely tuned, high-quality wind chimes such as Corinthian wind chimes are extremely popular today as the advent of modern technology allows for the mass production of precisely tuned bells.

Wind bells and chimes became a decorative art as well that used a wide variety of materials and ranged from simple to extremely elaborate in size, construction, and ornamentation.  An inexpensive set can cost under $20.00 while some more elaborate and elegant sets can cost well over $200.00.  The double attraction of sound and appearance, as well as the pleasing esthetic has helped the wind chime to become increasingly popular in Western society.

By Admin

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