Electrical Conduit Chimes
Children love being able to learn how to play simple instruments. These Electrical Conduit Chimes are cheap and easy to make.
All you need is a couple of lengths of electrical conduit pipe from the hardware store. It usually comes in 10 foot or 12+ foot lengths. You want the width to be 1/2 inch (really 9/16th inch) depending on how it is labeled. The easiest way to cut the lengths is using a small hand-held device called a pipe cutter -- also available in the electrical department of the hardware store.
You will also need to drill two small holes at the top of each pipe to insert string or wire for a handle. You may want to test out several options for handles. You do not want to use string or yarn or leather that will lesson the ring capability of the chime. If you use wire, better be plastic coated so that it won't injure little hands.
Strikers -- spoons or heavy bolts work well
All you need is a couple of lengths of electrical conduit pipe from the hardware store. It usually comes in 10 foot or 12+ foot lengths. You want the width to be 1/2 inch (really 9/16th inch) depending on how it is labeled. The easiest way to cut the lengths is using a small hand-held device called a pipe cutter -- also available in the electrical department of the hardware store.
You will also need to drill two small holes at the top of each pipe to insert string or wire for a handle. You may want to test out several options for handles. You do not want to use string or yarn or leather that will lesson the ring capability of the chime. If you use wire, better be plastic coated so that it won't injure little hands.
Strikers -- spoons or heavy bolts work well
HOW TO USE:
1. Many people make charts of the song lyrics and place the Pitch Letter Name of the chime above the syllable as needed. That works well, but takes up a lot of space on a poster.
2. Some people use a combination of a color code (mostly in order to play chords) and Pitch Letter Names. They make a chart using Letters and/or Colors with indications of length of notes by bar lines and dashes. The charts will line very neatly in columns and rows with blanks or dashes for rests. (Remember that a chime will ring and fade over a typical half note period of time. If you do many passages of fast notes, it will sound messy!)
3. Some people prefer to use Numbers for the chimes (low to high) on the charts . (This is highly subject to what the group likes. I find that using numbers works well to easily distinguish between Middle C or D and Treble C or D. I also like the versatility of being able to easily change the key. I just reassign the numbers of the chimes. Sometimes I even put big numbers on the floor and just tell the children to stand on their number and play that number when they look at the chart.)
4. Some people indicate note durations with actual notes and rests (quarter, half note, whole note, etc.) That's pretty advanced, though.
5. Chimes are good for ostinato, obligato or melodic passages of songs. Simple rhythms are best. Stick to straight quarter notes, half notes or whole notes.
6. Have an extra adult helper point to the Pitches on the chart if your Primary is singing along at the same time.
1. Many people make charts of the song lyrics and place the Pitch Letter Name of the chime above the syllable as needed. That works well, but takes up a lot of space on a poster.
2. Some people use a combination of a color code (mostly in order to play chords) and Pitch Letter Names. They make a chart using Letters and/or Colors with indications of length of notes by bar lines and dashes. The charts will line very neatly in columns and rows with blanks or dashes for rests. (Remember that a chime will ring and fade over a typical half note period of time. If you do many passages of fast notes, it will sound messy!)
3. Some people prefer to use Numbers for the chimes (low to high) on the charts . (This is highly subject to what the group likes. I find that using numbers works well to easily distinguish between Middle C or D and Treble C or D. I also like the versatility of being able to easily change the key. I just reassign the numbers of the chimes. Sometimes I even put big numbers on the floor and just tell the children to stand on their number and play that number when they look at the chart.)
4. Some people indicate note durations with actual notes and rests (quarter, half note, whole note, etc.) That's pretty advanced, though.
5. Chimes are good for ostinato, obligato or melodic passages of songs. Simple rhythms are best. Stick to straight quarter notes, half notes or whole notes.
6. Have an extra adult helper point to the Pitches on the chart if your Primary is singing along at the same time.