How to Choose Windchimes that Play Well Together

One of the most common questions we receive from people shopping for their second or third windchimes is, “Which wind chimes sound best together?” While the notes of each particilar windchime are tuned to blend with each other, which groups of windchimes will blend well? Two ways to group windchimes musically are by using a common scale and by grouping chimes in major fifth intervals.

Choose chimes of different sizes tuned to the same musical scale.

Each of our windchimes are tuned to a musical scale designated by the letters A through G. The notes of the musical scale repeat themselves in cycles called octaves. An “A” in a lower octave will resonate well with an “A” in a higher octave. Combining the Corinthian Bells® T206 and T516 windchimes is an example of one such pairing.

Corinthian Bells® 50″ T516 (scale of A) and 29″ T206 (scale of A)


Combine chimes using a Major 5th interval

For a more interesting harmony, pair chimes separated by a Major fifth interval. Pentatonic musical scales are built around notes with a specific relationship to each other, particularly the first and fifth notes. The following sequence of fifths is a reliable guide to pairing windchimes: F-C-G-D-A-E-B. Windchimes tuned to scales that are adjacent to each other this sequence will compliment each other musically and add depth to your backyard ensemble. The farther apart two scales are in the sequence, the more dissonance they will create when played together.

Corinthian Bells® 46″ T476 (scale of C) and 53″ T626 (scale of G)


Corinthian Bells® 29″ T206 (scale of A) and 36″ T306 (scale of E)

Learn more about musical intervals and the circle of fifths here.