Chimes consist of a set of long, tubular bells suspended by a gut string.   They are struck at the very top of the tube.  Chime mallets are often too hard.  In such cases the rawhide at the striking end may need to be softened by making cross cuts or covering it with soft leather.  Some chimes come with a damper pedal, which is used on chord changes.  Sometimes, melodic parts can be allowed to run together to accentuate the instrument’s normal clanging sound.  In general, however, the hand is used to dampen the notes.