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Though it is perhaps most closely associated with Indian music, the harmonium was actually invented in the early 19th century in Europe. Also known as a reed organ (or pump organ), the harmonium is a small keyboard instrument that makes sound by blowing air through reeds, and sounds not unlike a church organ, though a little less cumbersome.
When shopping for a harmonium of your own, you should know the basic mechanics of the instrument, as well as what features are useful and which are pretty frivolous.
What You Should Know Before Buying a Harmonium
Harmoniums come in a variety of sizes and formats. The sound will change depending on several factors, as will how easy it is to play.
Portable vs. Non-portable: These are the two basic types of harmonium, and they are relatively self-explanatory. Non-portable harmoniums stand upright and keep their shape, while portable harmoniums fold up and can be carried like a suitcase. Standard harmoniums work well if you don’t plan to travel with your instrument, while portable harmoniums are attractive for how easy they are to carry.
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.
