Table of Contents
The Harmonium Handbook
Owning, Playing, and Maintaining the Devotional Instrument of India
by Satyaki Kraig Brockschmidt
One: A Short History of the Indian Harmonium
Ancient Asian Origins
European and American Reed Organs
(Re)Invention of the Indian Harmonium
Coming Full Circle
For Further Study
Two: To Know and Love Your Harmonium
A User's Guide
Keyboard
Bellows
One Bellows or Two?
Stops and Drones
Which Knob Does What?
Coupler
Opening and Closing a Collapsible Harmonium
Dusting and Cleaning
Environmental Considerations
Long-Term Storage
Three: Playing the Indian Harmonium
Sitting at the Harmonium
Pumping the Bellows
"Breathing": Producing a Steady Tone
Volume, Expression, and the Art of Pumping
Repeat After Me: It's Not a Piano
Playing Styles: Introduction
Single-Note Melody
Melody with Drone
Chords
Melody with Chord-Appropriate Drones
Melody with Semi-Chorded Drones and Rhythm Accidentals
Sources of Chant Music
Four: The Inner Realms
External Areas
Keyboard and Key Mechanisms
Reed Chamber
A Little Inside Tour
Removing and Cleaning Reeds
Lower Bellows Chamber
Five: Adjustments, Corrections, and Tuning
Buzzing or Rattling Noises
Rumbling Noises
Squeaking Noises
Ticking Noises
Leaky Keys
Sticky Keys
Loose or Wobbly Keys
Wheezing
Slow, Fast, or Non-Sounding Notes
Out-of-Tune Notes
Tuning a Harmonium
Appendix A: Air Stops, Drones, and Tremolo Knobs for Select Bina Harmoniums
Appendix B: Chords and Chord Inversions
Appendix C: Tuning Sheets
Index
Photo Credits
See Also: Sample Chapter
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