The Magic of Wind Chimes

(Jared I. Lenz Photography/ Moment/GettyImages)

Wind chimes—instruments producing mystical sounds when played by the wind—have existed in some shape or form since at least 3,000 B.C. Originating in Southeast Asia, the first wind chimes were made from bones, wood, or shells with sinew, primitive cordage, or other materials. They originally functioned to scare birds away from early farms (a purpose filled by modern-day scarecrows); the sound of chimes in the wind would bother the birds and keep them from destroying crops.

Structure of Wind Chimes

Wind chimes can be made from a variety of materials—any arrangement that can be suspended from a frame so that some components are able to produce sound and reverberate when the wind blows. Most wind chimes share the following features:

• A hanger or ring connects the wind chimes to an external structure, like a hook or overhang.
• Suspension cord—often several lengths of it—is used to hang each chime.
• A suspension platform maintains space between the individual chimes. The minimum distance between sounding components should be considered when a particular sound profile is desired.
• A striker hangs amid the chimes, hitting them to create sound when a breeze passes by.
• Chimes—tubes, rods, or other materials—hang from the suspension platform and produce sound when struck. The chimes are often tubes, metal or otherwise, but they can be made from any material, as long as they produce a desirable sound when the striker makes contact with them.
• A sail—a rigid, lightweight component with a wide surface area—catches the breeze, causing the striker to sound the chimes or other noisemakers.

There are many ways to modify, add to, and change up these basic elements, but if you begin with these, you can create a personalized decoration that will look and sound beautiful in your outdoor—and perhaps even your indoor—environment.

DIY Project

The process of making wind chimes can be a simple one, but there are some specific rules and steps to follow. Parents can engage and work together with their children to complete the project, using it to teach art, science, or history along the way.

The sound your wind chimes will make is something you should decide before you begin. Try various materials: wood, plastic, metal, seashells, and even glass. Once you’ve chosen the materials for your desired sound, you should decide on the structure for your chimes. We won’t address here the various personal preference options that are possible; instead, our goal is to become familiar with the fundamentals of wind chime construction.

You’ll need some basic tools and supplies to make your wind chimes, including scissors, a small drill, fishing line or other cord, a file for smoothing out any rough or sharp metal edges, and possibly sandpaper if your project uses wood. The choice of cordage—the material that will connect the various pieces of the wind chimes together—is up to you. Fishing line, jute cord, and waxed cord are all fine materials; just bear in mind that if the wind chimes will be outdoors, you’ll need to use materials that are—or can be made—waterproof. You’ll also need some type of ring or hanger to anchor the entire project; it should be sturdy and strong, since everything will hang from it.

Once you’ve planned and gathered your materials, follow the steps below to construct your wind chimes:

1. Cut a number of suspension cords to match the number of chimes you have. Each cord should be long enough to let your chimes hang evenly. Every cord will be tied to one chime, fed through your suspension platform, and tied to your anchor ring or hanger at the other end (see steps 4 and 5).
2. Drill holes around the outside of your suspension platform, one hole for each of your chime cords.
3. Drill one more hole in the center of your suspension platform. This will be used for the striker and sail cord (see step 9).
4. Tie each chime to one end of its own length of suspension cord.
5. Feed each suspension cord up through the holes in the suspension platform and tie them all securely to your anchor ring or hanger.
6. Cut one more length of cord to hang the striker and sail from the center of your suspension platform. This cord should be long enough so that your sail can hang below your chimes, with the striker at a middle height (see step 8).
7. Fasten your sail to one end of the center cord.
8. Measure somewhere between the top and bottom of your chimes and use any method you wish to attach your striker to the center cord at the measured distance away from the sail. If you can drill a hole through the striker, you can simply make knots above and below it to hold the striker in place.
9. Feed the final cord up through the center of your suspension platform and tie it to your anchor ring or hanger.
10. Hold your wind chimes by the anchor ring or hanger and double-check that all the suspension cords are securely fastened at both ends. Gently shake your wind chimes to determine how well the striker is making contact with the chimes, and whether a desirable sound is produced.
11. Find a nice place to hang your new wind chimes; then sit back and enjoy the sound as the breeze engages your project!

Pre-Made Kits

Alternatively, there are many pre-made kits you can buy from retailers. From simple wind chimes made with clay and wood to more complex constructions with metal or glass, there are many styles to choose from. Kits can also be fun family projects for parents and children to work on together. Apart from full kits, you can purchase pre-made metal tubes with holes drilled in them, cut to particular lengths to create specific tones.

Wind chimes have been part of society for millennia: warding off evil spirits, scaring birds away from our crops, and calming the environments of our everyday lives. They can liven up backyards, be hung outside windows to add some charm, or even enhance meditation through their soothing sounds created by gentle breezes. Wind chimes can be made from a wide variety of materials by persons of almost any age. Why not spend an enjoyable afternoon making your own?