| For the uninitiated in the world of bells, tubular bells, | | | | ones produce a higher pitch when struck. They are |
| when seen for the first time, may be mistaken for | | | | played by striking one or two rawhide or wooden |
| wind chimes. Both have elongated tubes that are | | | | mallets against them. The vibrations that result |
| suspended from a beam. The resemblance is | | | | produce the sounds. |
| uncanny. Unlike wind chimes, however, tubular bells | | | | Originally, it was bells that were part of the orchestra. |
| are cast from heavier metals. | | | | But because they are harder to control, they were |
| Tubular bells also are not meant to produce sound | | | | replaced in the 1880s by tubular bells. The sound |
| when the tubes clash against each other, nor would | | | | from the tubular bells closely resembles the ringing of |
| an ordinary wind make them vibrate, by virtue of | | | | the bells. Tubular bells may be seen in museums or in |
| their weight. | | | | cathedrals where they are still played. |
| In an orchestra, you may see an instrument made of | | | | If you fancy having tubular bells, whether you are a |
| a row of brass tubes with different lengths. They are | | | | collector or home decorator, you may want to check |
| usually about one and one-half inches in diameter and | | | | out the various websites. You can purchase antique |
| are suspended vertically from a large wooden or | | | | pieces or have them replicated. They are also nice |
| metal frame. These are called tubular bells--tubes that | | | | gifts for a friends or relatives with a penchant for |
| are tuned and arranged like piano keys. The tubes | | | | antique musical instruments. If you own a set, you |
| are tuned chromatically, starting with C above middle | | | | can contact a restoration expert to tune and clean |
| C and extending 1.5 octaves. The longer tubes | | | | them for you. |
| produce a lower pitch when struck, and the shorter | | | | |