The Magic of Wind Chimes

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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.