A harmonium is an organ that produces sound pushing air through reeds. It’s a popular instrument in Indian music, and it’s often compared to an accordion. The harmonium was developed in Paris and brought to India during the British occupation of the country, though it is most commonly associated with Eastern music.
The harmonium was first introduced in Paris in 1842 Alexandre Debain, though several similar instruments were invented around the same time. Large pipe organs in churches were unsuitable or too expensive for small parishes or chapels, so the freestanding keyboard and pipes were used as an alternative. Their small size also allowed them to travel with the instruments, even if they were relocating to another country. During their occupation of India, British colonialists brought harmoniums with them, which led to the instrument’s use in Indian music.
Some were designed to resemble pipe organs during their period of Western popularity, with additional height added to the pipes to make them appear more expansive. They were originally played like a piano keyboard, with a bellows device that was constantly pedaled to pump air through the reeds and produce the desired sound. To maintain a constant air flow, later models replaced the manual pump with an electronic one.
Despite the fact that traditional Indian instruments are designed to imitate the human voice, harmoniums quickly became popular due to their ability to withstand tropical climates and simple operating system. Peti or baja was the name given to the organ, which was frequently used to accompany singing. Drone reeds, which sustain a continuous tone to establish the key or main note of the piece, are frequently used in Indian harmoniums. They also got rid of the foot pedals because most Indian musicians perform while sitting or kneeling and couldn’t use the air pedal from those positions. The foot-operated bellows were mostly replaced with hand-operated bellows in modern organs.
Many well-known classical composers in Western music composed music for the harmonium or in collaboration with the instrument. Pieces for this type of organ were written Antonin Dvorak, Rossini, Bruckner, and Elgar. The harmonium is occasionally used in modern Western music experimental bands that frequently incorporate unusual instruments into their compositions, such as Radiohead and Depeche Mode. The Beatles were also interested in Indian-influenced music, and many of their later songs, such as “Strawberry Fields Forever” and “Sexy Sadie,” featured the harmonium.
The harmonium is unlike any other keyboard or organ instrument in terms of musical experience. Its appeal has influenced many cultures, and it is still used in most Indian musical styles. The harmonium was invented in France, adopted England, and improved India. It is one of the most globally recognized instruments, and it is well worth listening to, even if only for its historical significance.