Music Sound

A note on terminology: In North America, the most common pedal-pumped free reed keyboard instrument is known as the American reed organ, parlor organ, pump organ, cabinet organ, cottage, organ, etc. and along with the earlier melodeon, is operated by a suction bellows. In North America, a reed organ with a pressure bellows is referred to as a harmonium. In much of Europe, the term "harmonium" is used to describe all pedal pumped keyboard free reed instruments, making no distinction whether it has a pressure or suction bellows.

The harmonium was invented in Europe in Paris in 1842 by Alexandre Debain, though there was concurrent development of similar instruments.

Harmoniums consist of banks of brass reeds (metal tongues which vibrate when air flows over them), a pumping apparatus, stops for drones (some models feature a stop which causes a form of vibrato), and a keyboard. The harmonium's timbre, or sound, is similar to an accordion, but works in a critically different way. Instead of the bellows causing a direct flow of air over the reeds, an external feeder bellows inflates an internal reservoir bellows inside the harmonium from which air escapes to vibrate the reeds. This design is similar to bagpipes as it allows the harmonium to create a continuously sustained sound. If a harmonium has multiple sets of reeds, its possible that the second set of reeds is tuned an octave lower and can be activated by a stop, which means each key pressed will play two notes an octave apart. Professional harmoniums feature a third set of reeds, usually tuned an octave higher. This overall makes the sound fuller. In addition, many harmioniums feature an octave coupler, a mechanical linkage that opens a valve for a note an octave below the note being played, and a scale changing mechanism, which allows one to play in various keys while fingering the keys of one scale.

Harmoniums are made with 1, 2, 3 and occasionally 4 sets of reeds. Classical instrumentalists usually use 1-reed harmoniums, while a musician who plays for a qawaali (Islamic devotional singing) usually uses a 3-reed harmonium.

The harmonium in India

Man playing a harmonium. He is pumping the bellows of the harmonium with one hand and playing it with the other.

During the mid-19th century missionaries brought French made hand-pumped harmoniums to India. The instrument quickly became popular there: it was portable, reliable and easy to learn. Its popularity has stayed intact to the present day, and the harmonium remains an important instrument in many genres of Indian music. It is commonly found in Indian homes. Though derived from the designs developed in France, the harmonium was developed further in India in unique ways, such as the addition of drone stops and a scale changing mechanism.

The harmonium is essentially an alien instrument to the Indian tradition, as it cannot mimic the voice which is considered the basis of all Indian music. Meend (glissando), an integral part of any classical recitation is not possible on the harmonium, and as such, one cannot faithfully reproduce the subtle nuances of a raga on this instrument. The harmonium is thus despised by many connoisseurs of Indian music, who prefer the more authentic yet more technical sarangi, in accomponying khyal singing.

A popular usage is by followers of the Sikh faith, who use it in the devotional singing of prayers, called kirtan. In any gurdwara (Sikh temple) around the world there will be at least one harmonium. The harmonium is also commonly accompanied by the tabla. To Sikhs the harmonium is known as the vaja/baja.

In Indian music, the harmonium is considered to be one of the most versatile instruments. It is usually used as an accompanying instrument for vocalists. However, some musicians have begun playing the harmonium as a solo instrument.Pandit Muneshwar Dayal, Pandit Montu Banerjee,Pamabhusan JnanPrakash Ghosh were among those personalities who made Harmonium popular as a solo performance. One of the largest pioneers of this style is Pandit Tulsidas Borkar of Mumbai. More recently, Dr. Arawind Thatte from Pune has sought to create a separate identity for the harmonium as a solo instrument. More and more music students are learning in this fashion.

 

"Harmonium" by Wallace Stevens

"Harmonium" was Wallace Stevens's first collection of poetry, published in 1917. In it, he explores the disparities of reality and imagination. Well-known poems in this collection include "The Snow Man", "The Worms at Heaven's Gate", "The Comedian as the Letter C", "The Emperor of Ice-Cream", "Sunday Morning" and "Death of a Soldier."

External (Commercial) links

• Professional harmoniums
• The Classical Harmonium
• Indian Harmonium Page