Clock chime (original) (raw)

A clock chime is a melody or a set of melodies played at intervals upon a set of bells to mark the passage of time. It is also the name of such a set of bells when they are not part of a larger bell instrument such as a carillon. It is distinct from the striking of the hour by a single bell, although a clock that plays a clock chime normally plays the associated hour strike as well, while the hour bell may or may not have a part in the melodies. The bells used to play clock chimes are most commonly located in bell towers or grandfather clocks, but may be found in other places as well. A variety of melodies exist, many associated with a particular location or bell tower that originated or popularized them.