How the handchime makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the handchime belongs to the struck idiophones: the body is struck directly – bells, gongs, xylophones and cymbals.
More broadly it is one of the idiophones, where the solid body of the instrument itself vibrates, without strings or a stretched membrane.
Press play above and watch the spectrum: the evenly spaced peaks are harmonics, and their relative strength is what gives the instrument its character.
From Wikipedia
Handchimes are musical instruments which are rung by hand, similar to handbells. Typically, they are tuned square tubes with an external clapper mechanism.
Many handbell techniques can also be applied to handchimes, though some are more difficult (such as six-in-hand) or impossible (malleting). On a music score, handchimes are indicated by a diamond shape on each note as opposed to an oval shape.
Other struck idiophones
Frequently asked questions
What does a handchime sound like?
As one of the struck idiophones, its sound comes from the way the body is struck directly.
What type of instrument is the handchime?
It is classified as struck idiophones (Hornbostel–Sachs 111.231).
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q1050106 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Handchime – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Godofbiscuits – CC BY-SA 4.0