A wind chime has a suspension system for suspending a plurality of chimes, a central cord that suspends a clapper adjacent the chimes, and a silencer slidably mounted on the central cord. The silencer includes a plurality of chime apertures radially spaced from a center area adjacent an outer perimeter, each sized and shaped to receive one of the plurality of chimes. The central cord extends through the silencer to a clapper. An adjustable locking mechanism is mounted on the central cord between the silencer and the clapper, for locking the silencer in either a silenced position wherein the main body is positioned inside of the plurality of chimes with each of the chimes being positioned within one of the chime apertures, and a stored position wherein the main body is positioned above the chimes.

A musical instrument includes a plurality of sound tubes that reduces the pitch of low-order harmonics included in the sound generated by the sound tube. Each sound tube can include a tubular sounding body and a cap weighing within a range inclusive from 210-300 g disposed at one end of the tubular sounding body.

A musical instrument includes a plurality of sound tubes that reduces the pitch of low-order harmonics included in the sound generated by the sound tube. Each sound tube can include a tubular sounding body and a cap weighing within a range inclusive from 210-300 g disposed at one end of the tubular sounding body.

The invention relates to a percussion bell comprising a bell and a hammer mounted on a base provided with a collar for clamping around a mounting. The collar being arranged with an installation axis (A) of the mounting, a sagittal installation plane (M) containing the outermost portion of the collar, as well as a transverse plane (T) perpendicular to the installation plane (M) and containing the installation axis (A). The hammer has a central portion rotatably mounted on the base and topped by an upper tab provided with a percussion area. The hammer also has a lower tab for movement provided with an actuating area, the percussion area extends above the transverse plane (T), and the actuating area extends below the transverse plane by being offset outwards relative to the installation plane (M).

The invention relates to a percussion bell comprising a bell and a hammer mounted on a base provided with a collar for clamping around a mounting. The collar being arranged with an installation axis (A) of the mounting, a sagittal installation plane (M) containing the outermost portion of the collar, as well as a transverse plane (T) perpendicular to the installation plane (M) and containing the installation axis (A). The hammer has a central portion rotatably mounted on the base and topped by an upper tab provided with a percussion area. The hammer also has a lower tab for movement provided with an actuating area, the percussion area extends above the transverse plane (T), and the actuating area extends below the transverse plane by being offset outwards relative to the installation plane (M).

A bell and method of tuning a bell with its lowest frequency partials at f.sub.1=f and f.sub.2=3f=2. The simultaneous presence of physical tones at these partial frequencies yields a difference tone, perceived by the listener, at f.sub.2f.sub.1=3f=2f=f=2. The difference tone is subharmonic, in that its perceived frequency (f=2) is below the frequency of the fundamental (f). Preferably, the bell has one or more additional partials at frequencies f.sub.n=(n+1)f=2, with n 2 f3; 4; 5: : : g, strengthening the listener's perception of the difference tone at f=2. The bell thus yields a strike tone at f=2 but has a characteristic dimension (e.g. height or diameter) equal to that of conventional bells with a strike tone at f, providing art eightfold savings in bell mass.

A bell and method of tuning a bell with its lowest frequency partials at f.sub.1=f and f.sub.2=3f=2. The simultaneous presence of physical tones at these partial frequencies yields a difference tone, perceived by the listener, at f.sub.2f.sub.1=3f=2f=f=2. The difference tone is subharmonic, in that its perceived frequency (f=2) is below the frequency of the fundamental (f). Preferably, the bell has one or more additional partials at frequencies f.sub.n=(n+1)f=2, with n 2 f3; 4; 5: : : g, strengthening the listener's perception of the difference tone at f=2. The bell thus yields a strike tone at f=2 but has a characteristic dimension (e.g. height or diameter) equal to that of conventional bells with a strike tone at f, providing art eightfold savings in bell mass.

A drinking container that can be used for various applications such as toasting for producing a sound for enjoyment at table, dinning or banquet, a bell, or further, determination of a beverage poured into the drinking container is used for producing a sound for enjoyment and comprises: a container-type resonator; and a handle connected to the resonator at a position of a node of vibration during resonance of the resonator.

A method and apparatus is disclosed for chime damping. A chime includes a suspension element from which hangs a sound generating element, such as one or more chime tubes or a side wall of a bell chime. A cord retractor is affixed to the suspension element and a center cord is secured to the cord retractor to be windable and unwindable between retracted and extended positions. A damper, a clapper, and/or a windcatcher are affixed to the center cord. Moving the center cord between retracted and extended positions alters the relative position of the damper, the clapper, and/or the windcatcher with respect to the suspension element and the sound generating element to cause noise generation or noise damping.

A method and apparatus is disclosed for chime damping. A chime includes a suspension element from which hangs a sound generating element, such as one or more chime tubes or a side wall of a bell chime. A cord retractor is affixed to the suspension element and a center cord is secured to the cord retractor to be windable and unwindable between retracted and extended positions. A damper, a clapper, and/or a windcatcher are affixed to the center cord. Moving the center cord between retracted and extended positions alters the relative position of the damper, the clapper, and/or the windcatcher with respect to the suspension element and the sound generating element to cause noise generation or noise damping.