Wind chimes meticulously hand-crafted in the United States, and sold at your locally owned Ace Hardware & Sports in Midland, MI. Music of the Spheres wind chimes are tuned to A440, standard orchestral pitch. They are offered in a range of scales designed to form a harmonious ensemble when combined together.
Wind Chimes Scales
- Pentatonic – One of our most popular tunings, the major Pentatonic scale is the most widely used melodic scale in the world, dating from ancient Greece. Its pattern is familiar as the black notes of the piano keyboard. The chime contains all the notes to “Amazing Grace” as well as “The Eyes of Texas”.
- Quartal – A musical palindrome, the Quartal scale is based on intervals of fourths and fifths. Its smooth and serene sound captivated American composers, notably Aaron Copland and Paul Hindemith, in the early twentieth century.
- Chinese – The Chinese, an inversion of the Pentatonic, is the lightest and sweetest of our scales, sure to evoke a sense of happiness. Its sweetness best complements the more serious Japanese and Balinese.
- *Mongolian – The Mongolian scale, a livelier version of the Chinese, is reminiscent of church and temple bells. The major pentatonic scale in root position in the key of A, it harmonizes nicely with the Aquarian. Genghis Khan conquered an empire unmatched in size, yet never heard chimes as lovely as these.
- Nashville – The Nashville®, a Music of the Spheres original composition, encompasses the complexities of the major seventh and ninth intervals of the pedal steel guitar. It evokes the serenity of a peaceful Highland Rim sunset.
- Hawaiian – The Hawaiian scale is Polynesian in flavor, reminiscent of a tangy sweet & sour sauce and tropical island breezes. It combines the best of major and minor pentatonic scales.
- Balinese – The Balinese scale recreates the magical strains of the Indonesian gamelon, at once joyous and plaintive.
- Japanese – The distinctive tones of the Japanese scale are at once deeply soothing and provocative. Its drama complements the more light-hearted Chinese and Balinese.
- Whole Tone – Claude Debussy, inspired by Balinese music at the 1896 Paris Exposition, began composing with this atonal scale, used for example in his piece “La Mer”. Later, television’s original Star Trek used it in the “beaming up” sequences. TV and film scores frequently feature it for underwater scenes, dream and “flashback” sequences.
- *Aquarian – An original Larry Roark composition, The Aquarian mirrors the tranquil charm of an Alpine lake or stream. Its refreshing tones mix beautifully in different sizes and also blend with the Mongolian.
- Gypsy – The ancient Gypsy scale is still used widely from northern Africa to the Baltic region. Its exotic mix of piquant strains and haunting melodies blends well with the Japanese.
- Westminster – Pealing the familiar tones of London’s “Big Ben”, this chime emulates the rich harmonics of cathedral bells. To create an ensemble, add the Pentatonic or perhaps Hawaiian. Only available in one size.
Wind Chimes Sizes
- Soprano – reg. $89.99
- Mezzo – reg. $124.99
- Alto – reg. $209.99
- Tenor – reg. $399.99
- Bass – reg. $599.99
- Westminster – reg. $269.99
*Our favorite combination is the Mongolian with the Aquarian.