{"id":182,"date":"2017-09-15T14:07:04","date_gmt":"2017-09-15T14:07:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.chimeworks.com\/blog\/?p=182"},"modified":"2017-09-15T16:14:14","modified_gmt":"2017-09-15T16:14:14","slug":"stopped-sounds-handchimes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.chimeworks.com\/blog\/stopped-sounds-handchimes\/","title":{"rendered":"Stopped Sounds on Handchimes"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Because of their design, handchimes do not lend themselves to all of the special ringing techniques as handbells.\u00a0 Many of the techniques when performed, could be damaging to the handchime itself in the area of the tines which determines the tuning of the instrument.\u00a0 The damage is done when the chime tube cracks at the base of the tines, changing the length of the tines.\u00a0 If the vibrating tine\u2019s length is altered in any way, the pitch is distorted permanently.<\/p>\n

A tine generally cracks when it is bent from ringing or malleting with too much force or from using the martellato technique.\u00a0 Larger tines can also bend when their vibrating cycle is interrupted.\u00a0 The larger the chime, the lower the pitch and the slower the vibrating cycle.\u00a0 Playing short, repeated notes on bass chimes will weaken the tines.\u00a0 Shaking on treble handchimes will weaken the tines.\u00a0 A rule to follow would be:\u00a0 the larger the chime, the longer the duration of the note to be played.\u00a0 Bass chimes should be used for a harmonic support to the handchimes above it \u2013 C4<\/sub> on up.<\/p>\n

ChimeWorks\u00ae<\/sup> has created the chart below as an easy reference when using special ringing techniques with handchimes:<\/p>\n

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The Finger Damp is an acceptable technique in creating a stopped sound on a handchime.\u00a0 The size of the hand and the handchime will dictate who can employ the technique.\u00a0 The handchime is rung with the finger already in place therefore, the vibrating cycle is not interrupted.<\/p>\n

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Finger Damp (TD)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"\"Slide the forefinger to the top area of the handchime and place the finger pad in the center of the tine slot and ring the chime.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

This should result in pitch with little resonance.\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The size of the handchime will determine if more than one finger is needed to properly execute the technique.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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While we would like handchimes to be a full replacement for handbells, it is not possible because of the design and material of the instruments.\u00a0 We encourage you to embrace the unique qualities of handchimes and use their strengths in choosing repertoire and determining when to substitute them for handbells:<\/p>\n