THESE CHIMES ARE TOTALLY TUBULAR, DUDE!

Tyler takes a whack at the chimes.

There is one particular idiophonic percussion instrument (meaning one that produces sound by vibrating after being struck or shaken, such as a triangle, xylophone, maracas or sleigh bells) that I have always admired from afar and dreamed of playing.  They are called Tubular Chimes, Tubular Bells or most commonly, Orchestra Chimes.

A set of these chimes, which costs thousands of dollars, consists of 18 hollow metal tubes that hang from a frame and create the sound of melodic, ringing church bells.  The longer the tube, the lower the pitch.  A pedal at the base of the rolling frame enables the player to open the damper when depressed, allowing the tubes to hang freely and resonate.  Then the tubes may be quickly silenced by releasing the pedal and closing the damper.

My love for the Tubular Chimes began when my obsession with Rush drummer Neil Peart began.  Back in the 70s and 80s, before Neil began utilizing electronic sampling to re-create the sounds of his plethora of percussion products, he had a set of Tubular Chimes behind him that he used most notably on the album A Farewell to Kings.  Studying the Rush: Exit...Stage Left concert footage, I was most enthralled by Mr. Peart's incorporation of idiophonic percussion instruments in songs from this album.  As can be seen in this quick clip from the live version of Xanadu, I was mesmerized by his use of Orchestra Bells, Tubular Chimes and Bell Tree, which triggered my fascination for such instruments:

It goes without saying that all my life I have dreamed of knocking around on a set of these chimes, but how often do you come across an instrument like this?  In my case only two or three times, but I have never seen a set up close or been able to actually play them.  There is no chance I will ever be able to buy a set for myself - even used - and orchestras tend to frown on audience members who rush up on the stage to touch these very fragile and very expensive instruments.  So my desire to play this instrument would remain a distant fantasy.

My dreams came true today when I visited the band room at my son's middle school.  Not only did they have a xylophone, a vibraphone and a marimba, but lo and behold, TUBULAR CHIMES!!  I begged the teacher to allow me a few meager seconds with the mallet, and she showed me how to play this awesome instrument:

Interesting to note (something I never knew): The notes are played by striking the cap at the top of the tube, not by hitting the tube itself.  Striking the tubes with the hammer is very rude and destructive to the instrument, and the band teacher will most certainly use the spare hammer to bash your head for being an ignorant percussionist.  Thank goodness she told me this before I attempted playing.  This was such an exciting day for me.  I can die happy now.

By the way, the notes I played were from Closer to the Heart, but you probably knew that already.