Winds of Montana | Chimes Tuned To Nature

In it's earliest forms, music originated as a response to the sounds and rhythms of nature. Of all its many forces, the wind is perhaps nature's most versatile and best-loved performer. It delights our ears in many ways, by rustling the leaves in the fall or whispering through the trees at night...At Winds of Montana we give the wind a chance to perform its magic on beautiful instruments.

Inspired by the majestic beauty of Montana's landscape, professional musician and instrument-maker, Clay Green, creates uniquely tuned wind chimes that musically reflect the harmony in nature. He combines physics, music theory, math and art to produce precision-tuned wind chimes of the highest quality. Winds of Montana has been a full-time business since 1988, but the story began long ago.

A Pennsylvania native, Green grew up in a musical family. His musical journey began at the age of 4. "I used to accompany my mother's piano playing by gathering up all of the empty soda bottles I could find; by filling them with different amounts of water I could play many notes along with her. I used knitting needles or pencils as mallets to play my primitive xylophone." At age 6 clay took piano lessons and then at 8 began what has become a lifelong passion of music, percussion, and innovative instrument design.

Clay lovingly crafted his first set of wind chimes in 1975 as a gift for his father. As a teenager he built "finger chimes" for his percussion set and made tuned wind chimes as gifts for family and friends. "I built my first tuned wind chime out of necessity. My parents had a nice-looking, but out of tune wind chime hanging on our porch. Its dissonant clamor bugged me the way a singer who isn't hitting the notes annoys a concert audience. 'I know many people can relate to this.' I replaced the offending chimes by building a new set." Simply stated, "An out of tune chime can be irritating and unsettling, whereas a carefully tuned one is joyous, soothing, and enchanting. In 1979 Green came to Montana to attend MSU-Bozeman where he studied, among other things, music. Now in his forties, he has built thousands of tuned chimes that are enjoyed by people all around the world.

Winds of Montana products are meticulously handcrafted in Montana's Big Sky country using the highest quality materials and superior workmanship. "All of our products start out as ideas that we patiently research and develop down to the smallest detail." After years of experimenting with different metal alloys, Green worked to develop a chime alloy formula that would meet his strict tuning specifications. This custom anodized aluminum alloy produces beautifully pure and resonant tones and will never rust or tarnish. Each individual chime is first rough cut and then skillfully hand machined to a specific pitch at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. An accurate tuning integrity is achieved through a combination of high-tech electronics and the trained human ear. Winds of Montana's high tuning standards rival or surpass many orchestral instruments. "We know from many years of experience that most people have a natural sense of whether or not an instrument is in tune. One does not have to be a musician to have a good ear." To further enhance the fundamental resonance, each chime is precisely suspended from the nodal point (the point of least vibration on a vibrating object). The end result is pure, resonant harmony.

We are a small company dedicated to quality. We have no automated machinery. It's a hands-on approach with every part. All of the component parts of Winds of Montana products are carefully designed, from the custom-fitted gift boxes, to the beautiful, yet durable frames. The trademark moon (wind-sail) and other frame components have smooth radiused edges and are weather-resistant for lasting outdoor use. Using physics, Green has calculated the relative size, optimum weights and distances between the wind-sail and the clapper (which strikes the chimes). "There are many physical factors, in addition to the tuning process, that affect the chimes' overall sound." Strict quality control and skillful hand-assembly ensure customer satisfaction.

Tough enough to withstand even Montana’s wild weather, Winds of Montana chimes are sensitively balanced so nature’s melodies come to life in the first hint of a breeze. Perfect for the porch, garden, or in an open window, one may choose from an array of evocative tunings. There are nearly 25 models available, all of which harmonize with each other, making it possible to group sets together and create a rich, heavenly symphony. Alone or grouped together these chimes spark the imagination and soothe the soul with their healing, therapeutic effects.

“We are very excited about the future of our company and are continually developing new products and researching new ways to improve our existing line.” In the future, Winds of Montana plans to introduce many exciting new products, from door chimes to an interactive mallet chime (designed to help people discover their own musical talents). The company’s first CD, titled Winds of Montana-Chimes Tuned to Nature is already in its third printing! Best described as, “A relaxing soundscape of meditative music,” this uniquely beautiful recording continues to delight an ever-growing audience from coast to coast. Soon at their website one will be able to obtain complete information on Winds of Montana chimes. To make selecting easier, anyone will be able to see and hear each product. With over 25 years of chime-making experience, Winds of Montanan products are truly the perfect gift for all ages and any occasion.

“Music is a powerful, sacred language that touches us all deeply within. Our goals are to make the finest products of our type in the world, to be innovative and to enhance people’s lives through music –with Mother Nature’s help…all in the spirit of giving.”

Professional musician, Clay Green regularly performs live and in the recording studio in a wide variety of settings including; world-beat, folk, jazz, rock, environmental, country, pop, Latin, funk, musical theatre, film and TV soundtracks and private instruction.

Montana native, Carolyn Peters has been an important part of the Winds of Montana team for over ten years and is involved in almost every aspect of the business from shipping, sales, and marketing to customer service and product assembly. With over 20 years of professional experience on piano and organ, this classically trained musician works in many musical settings including; choir director and accompanist, private instructor, musical theatre director and accompanist and live solo performer.

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