The harmonium is a type of keyboard instrument much similar to an organ, i.e., requiring air to produce the sound. The instrument was first invented in France, around 1840, and has been adapted to similar musical instruments over the years. The most common variant today is the Indian harmonium, which is a characteristic instrument for Indian classical and regional music.
The Indian harmonium features a bellow that needs to operate with the hand, and keys are pressed simultaneously to produce music. The foot-pumped harmonium is a more older variant of the instrument, which features pedals instead of bellows, to pump air to the reeds.
Today, the harmonium typically accompanies different musical genres & styles across the South Asian countries, like India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, etc. It can be heard in Hindustani classical music, bhajan & other forms of devotional music, sufi music, Natya Sangeet, and more. The harmonium is often used as an accompaniment to Indian classical dance traditions as well, such as Bharatnatyam & Kathak. As such, in India, learning the harmonium is often considered essential for learning different musical genres.
Learner’s outcome
- It increases coordination between both hands: Harmonium is an instrument which is played by your hands and you need to be very careful while playing the instrument. Your attention and hand coordination are all that harmonium requires. So, when you learn to play this instrument, you attain better coordination between both hands.
- Boosts blood circulation and stabilises blood pressure: By the continuous playing of the harmonium your blood circulation is boosted and it also affects stabilising your blood pressure.
- Improves memory: Music has always been a boon to your mental health and so you can improve your memory just by learning the skills to play the harmonium.
- Facilitates teamwork as harmoniums are often used with other accompaniments like the tabla in South Asian musical traditions.
- Calms the mind: Music is a treatment and so when you learn to play the harmonium, you can keep yourself calm through its soothing sound. Harmonium is an instrument which requires a lot of attention while playing it which can distract you from other stuff and calm you for that moment.
- Improves mental health: Are you experiencing loneliness, anxiety or stress? If yes, then get set started with the learning of harmonium because what can be better medicine than music?
- Creates opportunities: Learning harmonium can also create several opportunities for you like you can be a part of reality shows, you can make a career in music by becoming a teacher in the school or you can start your academy.
Interested to learn this versatile Indian traditional instrument? Enroll in the Harmonium course at Oak Groves and cultivate your musical talent! Students learn fast at Oak Groves.
Interested to learn this versatile Indian traditional instrument? Enroll in the Harmonium course at Oak Groves and cultivate your musical talent! Students learn fast at Oak Groves.
Prerequisites
- An interest to learn.