Harmonium Buying Guide: Octaves, Reeds, Stops - and What Bina Super Means

The harmonium is the sound of bhajan, kirtan, ghazal and countless Nepali music classes. Pumped by hand and played on a keyboard, it is easy to start on and rewarding for a lifetime. Choosing one, though, comes with its own vocabulary - octaves, reeds, stops, bellows. Here is what each one means.

Portable folding or standard?

Most harmoniums sold today are portable folding models: the body folds shut around the keyboard so the instrument becomes its own case. They are the practical choice for anyone who carries their harmonium to class, satsang or programmes. Larger non-folding harmoniums are mostly used where the instrument stays in one place.

Octaves and keys

The range is given in octaves. A 3.25 octave harmonium (39 keys) covers what most singers need. A 3.5 octave harmonium (42 keys) gives a little more room at the top and bottom and is the usual choice for serious students and accompanists.

Reeds - the heart of the sound

Inside a harmonium are sets of metal reeds that vibrate when air passes over them. Each set has its own voice:

• Bass - deep and full.
• Male - the middle voice, the classic harmonium sound.
• Female - an octave higher, brighter.

A single-reed harmonium has one set; double-reed models usually combine bass and male for a fuller tone that suits accompanying singers; triple-reed models add the female voice. For most learners, double reeds are the sweet spot.

Stops and drones

The knobs along the front are stops. Main stops open and close the reed sets, so you can choose between a light sound for practice and a full one for a programme. Drone stops hold a note continuously - a steady base to sing over, very useful in devotional music.

Bellows

The bellows at the back are pumped with the left hand. More folds hold more air, so you can play longer, steadier phrases between pumps.

What "Bina Super" means

Ask for a harmonium in Kathmandu and you will often hear "Bina Super". It is the local name for Bina's No. 17 Deluxe, made by Bina Musical Stores of India: a portable folding harmonium with 3.5 octaves (42 keys), 8 stops - 5 main and 3 drones, two sets of reeds (bass and male) and 8-fold bellows, supplied with a padded bag. It is a popular choice because it covers everything from learning to performing. See the Bina Super Portable Harmonium.

Looking after a harmonium in Nepal's climate

• Keep it dry. Monsoon damp is the main enemy of reeds and bellows. Store it in its bag, away from walls that get damp.
• Keep it out of direct sun and away from heaters, which can crack the wood and dry out the bellows.
• Close the bellows and fasten the latch after playing.
• Play it regularly. An instrument that is played stays in better condition than one left closed for months.

Explore more traditional instruments, or read our guide to Nepali folk instruments.

Buying from ECA Music Store

Every instrument we sell is 100% genuine, our instruments come with warranty, and our team is happy to help you compare models before you decide. We deliver across the Kathmandu Valley.