Windchime Tunings

Of everything we have discussed here, the most important part of a windchime is, of course, its sound! There is no right answer when it comes to what windchime is best for an individual – it all depends on what sounds pleasing to that particular person. Luckily for wind chime lovers, there are varieties of different tunings out there to cater to every taste. Out of all the comments we receive here, our most frequently asked question is in regards to the sounds of the tunings. Because of this, we’ve provided you with audio files on our web site that let you hear each tuning from both our metal wind chime manufacturers, Grace Notes and Music of the Spheres. We feel this is the best way to help you select your unique windchime sound.

When a chime’s tubing vibrates, it creates a note. As the striker hits each tubing; the tube’s entire length vibrates in one long wave. Factors that determine the makeup of these notes include the length, diameter, and metal of the tubing, as well as even the material that makes up the striker! Tunings are combined notes that have the same musical scale and range, and can be familiar tones to exotic melodies. Familiar tunings are typically in major scales and have close similarities to other tunings, such as Pentatonic, Chinese, Westminster, and Mongolian. The more exotic scales include Hawaiian, Japanese, and Gypsy (Gypsy typically has seven tubes as opposed to five or six). You can place wind chime ensembles in the same area that create a harmonized “voice” in the same scale in a different range, or you can combine tunings that are mixed in range and scales that will sound particularly melodic, such as Pentatonic and Hawaiian or Japanese and Gypsy. Grace Note's wind chimes are available in 9 sizes and 7 different tunings and Music of the Spheres offers five sizes and ten different musical scales. You are limited only by your imagination.