Harmonium

The harmonium is a remarkable musical instrument that has deep roots in Indian music, particularly in West Bengal, where it originated. It has transcended its geographical boundaries and has become an integral part of the Indian musical landscape, playing a vital role in various musical genres, including folk, classical, Sufi, and ghazal compositions, both for music and dance.

The harmonium’s design and operation are unique and fascinating. It’s a portable wooden box with a combination of materials such as wood, metal, brass, and cloth. The instrument is relatively compact, making it convenient for musicians to carry it with them.

One of the most remarkable features of the harmonium is its ability to produce a wide range of musical notes. It can produce up to 12 surs and 22 shrutis, making it an incredibly versatile instrument that can adapt to various musical compositions and styles.

Range: Harmoniums come in several ranges, from 2 1/2 octaves and up; the average being around 3. Beginner players should be perfectly fine with 2 1/2 octaves, thought more of course always provides more variety.

Reeds: Most harmoniums come with at least two reeds: a high set and a low set, which blend to create a rich, full sound. From lowest to highest, reeds are in bass, male, or female octaves, and different combinations blend to create different sounds. A bass, male set is really all a beginner would need, though.

Instant Response Keyboard: Look for an instant response keyboard, as many poor quality harmoniums will come with a lag on the keys.

Additional Features: Some harmoniums come with additional features like stops, scale changers, and couplers. Not all of these features make a huge difference to the instrument. Stops and scale changers for example are often considered relatively redundant. An octave coupler is a helpful feature which adds an octave to the note you’re playing and can amplify the sound.