Harmonium...

Good Day Peeps !!!

Today, I'm going to explain to you about the harmonium. Do you know what is harmonium?

Actually, harmonium is the musical instrument that looks like a  keyboard or a piano, but it's sounds more like an accordion. Why? This is because foot and hand operated keys and pedals shoot air through reeds that give it the sound a woodwind instrument might make. The harmonium originated in Paris in 1842, using a free reed technology that was developed around 1780. The man credited with inventing the harmonium is Alexandre Debain.

How to play harmonium?

First, we have to press the foot pedals at the base of the instrument. At the same time, sets of keys are all pushed to pump air at different points inside the harmonium. This air passes over various free reeds inside, which vibrate and produce different sounds, depending on the note desired.

Different types of harmoniums are categorized by the sets of reeds they have. Those used in most classical music have only one set while those used for Islamic religious music usually have three sets. Two- and four-set harmoniums also exist.

 Today, harmoniums are not manufactured by any Western nation, but they are sold between enthusiasts and are often modernized for contemporary use. The Estey Company, the last manufacturer of the harmonium, ceased production in the 1950s.

Last but not least, to those who never play the harmonium, please give it a try. It is very interesting to play it because it such a great musical instrument.