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Harmoniums

Harmoniums are an Indian musical instrument, somewhat akin to the early American pump organ. The harmonium is also called a peti or baja. This instrument is not a native Indian instrument, but was invented in Europe in Paris in 1842. During the mid-nineteenth century missionaries brought hand-pumped harmonium to India, where it quickly became popular due to its portability and its low price. Its popularity has stayed intact to the present day, and the harmonium remains an important instrument in many genres of Indian music, as well as frequently being found in Indian homes.

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. There are two main types of harmonium: a foot-pumped version that resembles a small organ, and a hand-pumped portable version that folds up for easy transport.

Harmoniums give an amazing amount of good sound and music, even for the beginner with little skill or experience. Their mellow, warm-sounding tone blends well with the human voice; thus they are especially well-suited for individual or group singing.

Although this is a European invention, it has evolved into a truly bi-cultural instrument. The keyboard is European, but it has a number of drone reeds which are particularly Indian. European models came in both hand pumped and foot pumped models. The foot pumped models disappeared in India many years ago, as the foot pedals required one to sit in a chair; something which is unusual for an Indian musician. In addition, the only advantage of the foot model was that it freed both hands so that both melody and chords could be played. Indian music has no chords, so this was no advantage. Although the hand pumped models required one hand to pump they were more portable and comfortable when played on the floor.

Check out our Harmonium accessories, information on how to play the harmonium, and how to take care of your harmonium.

Harmonium, Standard ( HM6S ) Harmonium, Standard
4 drones (top pulls) and 4 stops (lower pulls) to direct the air over the upper or lower reeds. Fixed keyboard, integral bellows, and dozens of sound combinations. Made in India.
Only:
$459.00
Qty:
Harmonium, deluxe, fixed ( HMDC ) Harmonium, deluxe, fixed
5 drones and 4 stops provide dozens of combinations of sounds. Fixed keyboard and integral bellows. The Harmoniums are tuned to A = 440 (Hz) within 5-8 cents; rarely are they off by 10 cents. A cent is a unit of measuring intervals in music. Each half step (semitone) is made up of 100 cents. The 440 (Hz) represents the frequency of sound wave for the "A" note. If you double the frequency, you play the A an octave higher.Made in India.
Only:
$669.00
Qty:
Harmonium, Coupler, Folding ( HMFC ) Harmonium, Coupler, Folding
5 drones and 6 stops, play different banks of reeds. Mechanical coupler (plays 2 octaves with one stroke). Fixed keyboard, integral bellows, and dozens of sound combinations. Finish color and decoration style may vary from photo. Comes in its own traveling case.Made in India. (Out of Stock)
Only:
$519.00
Qty:
Harmonium, Deluxe, Coupler ( HMMC ) Harmonium, Deluxe, Couplerd
5 drones and 6 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.
Only:
$569.00
Qty:
Harmonium, Double Reed, Flat Type ( HRMD ) Harmonium, Double Reed, Flat Type
This is a very simple, portable, Harmonium. No stops, no drones just a keyboard, two banks of reeds and the bellows. Harmoniums are not tuned to the western scale; each reed is usually tuned to the other reeds in the instrument. Great for taking to classes, or for small gatherings, or practice and for meditation. Made in India. (Out of Stock)
Only:
$489.00
Qty:
Harmonium, Pro, Folding by Pakrashi ( HRMPF ) Harmonium, Pro, Folding by Pakrashi
Harmonium Pakrashi & Co., folding. Comes in its own traveling case plus a nylon case too. 5 drones and 4 stops. Keyboard pops up, store in locked-down position for travel. Mechanical coupler (plays 2 octaves with one stroke). Keyboard slides to change scale. Integral bellows, dozens of sound combinations. Made in India. (Out of Stock)
Only:
$1,299.00
Qty:
Harmonium, Scale Changer, Fixed ( HMSC ) Harmonium, Scale Changer, Fixed
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.
Only:
$899.00
Qty:
Harmonium, Scale Changer, Folding ( HMSD ) Harmonium, Scale Changer, Folding
Deluxe, Deluxe, 5 drones and 4 stops. Keyboard pops up, store in locked-down position for travel. Mechanical coupler (plays 2 octaves with one stroke). Keyboard slides to change scale. Integral bellows, dozens of sound combinations. Made in India. (Out of Stock)
Only:
$899.00
Qty:
Harmonium, Single Reed, 4 Stopper ( HRM4 ) Harmonium, Single Reed, 4 Stopper
On this model there is only one air chamber. One stop acts as a Vibrato. The other three stops increase the air flow to the chamber and therefore the volume. The Harmoniums are not meant to be played in concert like a mini organ. Made in India.
Only:
$269.00
Qty:
Harmonium, Traveler, Deluxe ( 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. 2 banks of reeds. Finish color and decoration style may vary from photo. Length 24" Width 7.5" Height 7.5" When opened the height fully extended is 10". Made in India.
Only:
$669.00
Qty:
Harmonium, Traveler, Standard ( HMTS ) Harmonium, Traveler, Standard
2 drones, 2 stops, keyboard pops up for play, store in locked-down position for travel. Fixed keyboard. Integral bellows, dozens of sound combinations. Finish color and decoration style may vary from photo. Finsh on the top cover of the Harmoniums have impressions in the finish. SOLD AS IS. Made in India. (Out of Stock)
Only:
$429.00
Qty:

Ethnic Musical Instruments


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