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.

HMSC Harmonium, Deluxe Scale Changer, Fixed Frame
Deluxe, 5 drones and 4 stops. Mechanical coupler (plays 2 octaves with one stroke). Keyboard slides to change scale. Integral bellows, dozens of sound combinations. Made in India

Shipping Weight: 31.00 lbs.

Price: $999

HMTD Harmonium, Traveler, Deluxe

5 drones and 4 stops. Keyboard pops up for play, store in locked-down position for travel. Fixed keyboard. Integral bellows, dozens of sound combinations. Made in India

Shipping Weight: 34.00 lbs.

Price: $719

HMMC Harmonium, Deluxe
6 drones and 5 stops, play different banks of reeds. Mechanical coupler (plays 2 octaves with one stroke). Fixed keyboard, integral bellows, and dozens of sound combinations. Made in India

Shipping Weight: 30.00 lbs.

Price: $619

HMTS Harmonium, Traveler, Standard

Keyboard pops up for play, store in locked-down position for travel. Fixed keyboard. Integral bellows, dozens of sound combinations. Made in India

Shipping Weight: 30.00 lbs.

Price: $419

HMDC Harmonium, Deluxe Fixed Keyboard
4 drones and 5 stops provide dozens of combinations of sounds. Fixed keyboard and integral bellows. Made in India

Shipping Weight: 30.00 lbs.

Price: $719

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