FAQs
Q: How are wind chime sizes defined?
Manufacturers define the
size by the overall length of the wind chime i.e. if it is a 36 inch
chime, it measures 36 inches from the hanging ring/hook at the top, to
the bottom of the wind catcher.
We give additional measurements
for all our wind chimes - the longest chime, for example, which is a
useful metric when comparing different brands - the tube diameter
(mostly for premium brands), and the diameter, which refers to the top
bit of the chime from which the tubes hang.
Q. What does "pentatonic" mean?
A pentatonic scale is a musical scale with five notes per octave. Most tuned wind chimes are tuned to a pentatonic scale, since the sounds produced will be pleasing and relaxing no matter which pipes sound in combination, or even if all pipes sound at once.
Typically, a wind chime has 6 pipes - there will be 5 notes, the "tonic" or first note being repeated at the other end of the octave.
Q: I want a wind chime with deep tones.
A: The longer the tube, the deeper the tone. It is worth looking at better quality brands, as the diameter of the tubes will typically become wider as the tube length increases, resulting in a lovely deep tone.
Corinthian Bells are a premium brand which demonstrate this characteristic perfectly - their 65" chime has tubes with a diameter of 2.25 inches - scaffolding pole proportions! The sound is sublime.
Q: My wind chime doesn't chime. Why not?
Wind chimes obviously need some exposure to the wind, but it's also important that you hang your chime from the hanging ring/hook directly onto the branch/pergola/etc. Do not attach the chime, for example, to a length of cord which you then tie onto the support - doing so results in the entire wind chime waving from side to side in the wind, rather than just the wind catcher, the result being very little sound.
Q: Do you personalise chimes?
A: No, we don't offer this service - but its easy enough to manage this yourself. There are numerous online shops offering engraving; for a very modest sum, you can select an appropriately sized metal plate and specify the text to be engraved on it. The engraved plate can then be stuck/screwed onto any of the wooden components of your chosen wind chime.
Q: What is the best wind chime to hide traffic noise/the neighbour's hot-tub pump/other irritating sounds
A wind chime is probably not the best means of creating "white noise", which is what you need to block out less desirable sounds, not least of all because it only sounds when it's windy.
Gurgling water e.g. a fountain, creates a continuous sound that is in the same frequency range as sounds such as lawn mowers, air conditioners, and people talking, but because the fountain is nearby, its sound dominates.
It needn't be anything fancy, any vessel that holds water - such as a stone birdbath, a copper tub, an urn — fitted with a re-circulation pump will do the job (sorry, we don't stock any kit for water features).
Q: I love wind chimes but my neighbour doesn't. What should I do?
If your garden is of a modest size and you cannot therefore place a wind chime in a spot which is far enough away from your neighbour's property, you might consider a bamboo wind chime - the sounds are not loud, don't resonate and don't carry very far.
Alternatively, you could buy something like a Koshi or a Zaphir chime, which are designed to hang indoors. Placed next to a window, or near a doorway, any movement of air will create a lovely (and often unexpected) melody.
Still need help? Call us on 01344 773096.
