chimes

Tubular bells (also known as chimes) are musical instruments in the percussion family. Their sound resembles that of church bells; the original tubular bells were made to duplicate the sound of church bells within an ensemble. Each bell is a metal tube, 30–38 mm (1¼–1½ inches) in diameter, tuned by altering its length. Its standard range is C4–F5, though many professional instruments reach G5 (see photo). Tubular bells are often replaced by studio chimes, which are a smaller and usually less expensive instrument. Studio chimes are similar in appearance to tubular bells, but each bell has a smaller diameter than the corresponding bell on tubular bells.

Tubular bells are sometimes struck on the top edge of the tube with a rawhide- or plastic-headed hammer. Often, a sustain pedal will be attached to allow extended ringing of the bells. They can also be bowed at the bottom of the tube to produce a very loud, very high-pitched overtone.
The tubes used provide a purer tone than solid cylindrical chimes, such as those on a mark tree.
Chimes are often used in concert band pieces (e.g. "Eiger" by James Swearingen). It rarely plays melody, instead being used most often as a color to add to the ensemble sound. It does have solos occasionally, often depicting church bells. Play
In tubular bells, modes 4, 5, and 6 appear to determine the strike tone and have frequencies in the ratios 92:112:132, or 81:121:169, "which are close enough to the ratios 2:3:4 for the ear to consider them nearly harmonic and to use them as a basis for establishing a virtual pitch". The perceived "strike pitch" is thus an octave below the fourth mode (i.e., the missing "1" in the above series).

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  1. B

    Doorbell chimes

    I have a standard wired doorbell in our house. However it isn't very loud. Can I replace the existing chime box with one that is louder, preferably with melodies and volume control. Reading through quite a few on the internet most don't seem to have very good reviews. Cost isn't an issue. Any...
  2. A

    Ring Video Doorbell 2nd Gen compatible chimes?

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  3. J

    Door entry chimes/person tracker

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  4. DIYlady

    Door Chimes - Help!

    Please can anyone recommend door chimes that Are wired using a transformer (NOT wireless) Are loud Have a backdoor option Can be chained so that two chimes can be attached to the system I had intended to buy D454 - Warbler but saddly didn't get round to it and YIL that, in spite of several...
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