If you are looking for a fun alternative or addition to your handbell collection, you need to check out chimes! Chimes are another great rhythm instrument to bring into singing time that your primary is SURE to love!
**This post contains affiliate links. That means I receive a small commission from sales at no cost to you. But know that I wouldn’t recommend these products if I didn’t LOVE them!
Why Use Chimes?
Chimes are so durable! No amount of abuse from your primary kids is going to break these! Not to mention they are relatively inexpensive! Get 20 chimes (which is almost 2 octaves and all the sharps!), strikers, a bag and more!
Chimes for Pioneer Day
My FAVORITE time to use chimes in singing time is in the summer around Pioneer Day!! They seem like the perfect instrument that the pioneers would have used! A little homemade and old fashioned! Whether they are an actual pioneer instrument or not, I have no idea!
The pioneers are part of our entire church’s heritage and Pioneer Day is worth celebrating wherever you live. But chimes can also be used any time of year!
Musical Pipes
My favorite supplier of chimes for singing time is Musical Pipes. If you are unfamiliar with chimes, check out what Musical Pipes says about them:
Musical Pipes is your pipe chime gold mine and is excited to announce our new addition to the site: LDS Primary pipe chime music. In addition to offering all our sheet music for free (50 Christmas and 79 Primary songs), we offer free
- instructions on how to make your own set
- carrying bag instructions
- labels to use
- playing tips and tricks for playing with kids of almost all ages
You can even buy your own pre-made set and carrying bag (if you choose not to make them) for a very reasonable price. Purchase our full feature songbooks (including key signatures, numbers of pipe chimes used and their popularity throughout the song, lyrics and a table of contents) as as digital download with the option to print it however you’d like. You’ll love having all the songs in one place.
Why bring your pipe chimes out only one time a year? Keep them out all year round and enjoy playing the Primary songs with your family during family home evenings, let your kids play with them during normal play time (they love playing with chimes and probably don’t realize how educational they are) or include them in Primary lessons and singing time. Playing music with the whole family is a great way to make memories and invite the special spirit the Primary songs bring.Chime in the fun and visit Musical Pipes today!”
Chime Charts
The best part about chimes is that you can customize them to use the same charts as handbells! Simply add some chime tags:
Two variations are available:
Chime Tags
These are available in the Resource Library. Instructions for accessing the Resource Library are found at the bottom of this post.
Print on card stock, laminate and cut the circles out. Punch holes, cut a small slit, slip them on the strings and tape the slits shut. Or, untie the strings, slide the tags on and re-tie the strings.
Either way, you want them to look like this:
Chime Stickers
These are my preferred method! Simply print the chime tag page on a clear sticker sheet! Cut them out and adhere directly to the chime. Easy!
This is what I used (Amazon affiliate link):
Chimes for Singing Time
Do you use chimes for singing time? Let me know in the comments how you like to use them!
Check out this quick tutorial video for accessing the Resource Library:
These printables are filed on my Resource Library page under Category Title > Make-Your-Own Handbell Charts > Chime Tags.
