Harmonium
Origin of the Harmonium
The British introduced harmoniums to India during the colonial period.
They were quickly adopted by the India cultures. It is more popular in
the north than in the south of India. The original harmoniums brought
to India were of two basic types, those with a hand bellows and those
with a foot pump. While a foot pump might make more sense to the Western
musician it has draw back for the Eastern musician. Most significant is
that a foot pump requires that the harmonium be placed up on a table and
the musician seated in a chair. Indian music is traditionally played from
a position seated on the floor. For the Western musician the foot pump
allows the instrument to be played with two hands, one for melody one
for the chords. There are no chords in Indian music and so overall the
foot pump became a liability, not an advantage.
Description of the Harmonium
Harmoniums are in the family of free-reed aerophones. Harmoniums resemble
small, tabletop size, organs. Each harmonium has a bellows at the back
that is pumped by one hand while the other hand plays the keyboard. Inside
they contain multiple chambers. There are different banks of free reeds
in each chamber. The size and shape of each reed in the bank determines
its pitch. Engaging Stops directs the airflow to various chambers. Each
playing Key and each Drone controls the air through one or multiple reeds
within a chamber. When engaged, Drones provide a continual harmony note
and are played in unison with the keyboard.
Parts of the Harmonium
Stops (main) – Usually the top knobs on the front of the instrument.
These Stops control the airflow to the various banks of reeds. Each chamber
will have at least one stop, although there can be multiple stops for
a chamber. Multiple stops may simply allow more air to a chamber for a
more powerful sound, or they may control special functions, such as tremolo.
Stops (drone) - The drone strops are usually the knobs on the bottom
of the front of the instrument. Drones control the airflow over fixed
reeds that have no keys. When engaged they provide a continual drone of
a harmony note.
Reeds - The reeds are a thin brass tongue set into the opening of a thicker
brass base. Each base is roughly 1/4 inch by 2 inches. The thin tongue
vibrates when air passes through the opening. Small thin reeds have a
higher pitch than wider longer thicker reeds.
Coupler - This relatively simple device physically connects, or couples,
two keys. The result is that playing one key engages two reeds simultaneously.
One key will play two reeds that are one octave apart. The coupler may
be engaged or disengaged by the user.
Scale Changer – Provides a sliding keyboard. The keys are connected
with cloth tape allowing them to be slid up or down the scale from note
to note. If you play a note, then slide the scale and play the same key
you will actually get a new note. You can easily change the key of a musical
piece by sliding the keyboard, rather than learning a new fingering technique.
Our Harmoniums
Standard 6 drones (top pulls) and 5 stops (lower pulls) to direct the
air over the upper or lower reeds, a fixed keyboard, integral bellows,
dozens of sound combinations.
Deluxe fixed 4 drones and 5 stops, a fixed keyboard, integral bellows,
dozens of sound combinations.
Deluxe 11 stops, play different banks of reeds. Mechanical coupler (plays
2 octave with one stroke), a fixed keyboard, integral bellows, dozens
of sound combinations.
Traveler standard Keyboard pops up for play, store in locked-down position
for travel, a fixed keyboard, integral bellows, dozens of sound combinations.
Traveler deluxe 5 drones and 4 stops. Keyboard pops up for play, store
in locked-down position for travel, a fixed keyboard, integral bellows,
dozens of sound combinations.
Scale changer fixed Deluxe, 5 drones and 4 stops. Mechanical coupler
(plays 2 octaves with one stroke), the keyboard slides to change scale,
integral bellows, dozens of sound combinations.
Scale changer folding Deluxe, 5 drones and 4 stops. Keyboard pops up,
store in locked-down position for travel. Mechanical coupler (plays 2
octaves with one stroke), the keyboard slides to change scale, integral
bellows, dozens of sound combinations.
Playing the Harmonium
The most common playing position is to place the harmonium on the floor
and sit, cross-legged, in front of it. You can play the keys with your
dominant hand while your other hand works the bellows, but most often
the right hand plays the keys. Most exercises are written for the right
hand. You can also place the harmonium on a table and sit in a chair while
you play. Find a comfortable pose. Practice you scales as you would with
an organ or piano. Find an instructor from our links page to help you
learn the Ragas.
Care and Caution
The harmonium has a number of delicate parts that are made of cloth or
leather. These restrict and maintain the air within chambers and the bellows.
These parts are usually held in place with water soluble glues. It is
important not to expose your harmonium to extremes in temperature or moisture.
Avoid pumping the bellows with all the stops pushed in; this will cause
greater pressure in the chambers than the delicate parts can handle and
may lead to leaks. Be very careful around curious children. If you have
ever heard a parent tell you they had to replace the VCR because there
was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich stuck in to the tape slot- well
there are a number vents, and holes on the harmonium that are perfect
for small fingers, pencils, etc. Any holes in the bellows, or cloth vent
covers will cause air leaks in the chambers and your harmonium will need
repair.
The instrument itself is hand crafted of wood, which will also react
to the changes in moisture and temperature. Changes in the wooden parts
can cause the reeds to buzz. Sometimes simply playing a reed over and
over will eliminate the buzz. If that does not work you may whish to try
loosening the screws on the reed, lifting the reed slightly and then re-tightening
it. Any small bit of debris in a reed will also cause it to buzz. Clean
them carefully, reeds can be easily bent and then they may not work, or
the note can be altered.
