Orchestra chimes are also known as tubular bells or orchestral chimes. They’re a type of percussion instrument made of hollow metal tubes cut to various lengths and suspended from a frame in a group. When tapped, each tube produces a different sound. When shaken, some chimes are used in unison to produce a single sound. Others are designed to be tapped one at a time with a wooden mallet to produce a single note.
Six or more tubes are usually found in a set of orchestra chimes. Some sets are small enough to be carried in one hand, while others are too large to be carried a single person. A large set of 20 or more chimes suspended in a frame is the most common size seen as part of an orchestra. Certain types of music, particularly Latin music, are known for having specialty sets of various sizes.
Orchestra chimes aren’t used in every piece of orchestral music, but they are in a lot of pieces that call for church bells or similar effects. They can also be used to provide harmony or to support the melody. In an orchestra, tubular bells are generally preferred over regular bells because the tubes produce notes that are clearer and easier to control. They can also be quickly dampened, resulting in an abrupt stop of the sound, or allowed to reverberate until they naturally stop.
Orchestra chimes can be made of a variety of metals, including aluminum, bronze, and brass. This can have a significant impact on the chimes’ weight and portability. The frames are highly susceptible to stress and may be damaged during transport to concert venues. Lighter-weight chimes are ideal for musicians who perform in a variety of locations because they put less strain on the frames.
Due to wear and tear, the tubes in a set of orchestra chimes may need to be replaced on occasion. Cracks in the tubes caused wear or being dropped are the most common cause. Other issues that may arise are usually related to the tubes’ suspension, the frame loosening or pulling apart, or a malfunctioning damper system.
Large tubular bells were originally intended for use in church towers, but smaller versions quickly became popular as orchestra chimes. Tubular bells are still used in church bell towers in many places. Normally, someone inside the building plays a keyboard to control these. This, in turn, triggers hammers to strike the individual tubes, resulting in music.