Choosing the Right Harmonium: The Magic of SUSTAIN

DURATION OF SUSTAIN is the unsung hero in your harmonium journey—like the difference between a meditation that flows effortlessly and one where your mind wanders every three seconds. A poor-quality "junker" harmonium with inadequate sustain will have you pumping like you're trying to inflate an emergency life raft, distracting you from the spiritual connection you're seeking through chant.

The Harmonium Decision Tree: Key Questions to Narrow Your Search

1. What's Your Musical Path: Indian Classical or Western Kirtan?

•  Indian Classical Music: Consider a scale changer harmonium (like upgrading from a regular yoga class to advanced Ashtanga—more complex but rewarding for truly dedicated practitioners)
•  Western Kirtan (Krishna Das, Snatam Kaur style): A Bhava Mini is the "Goldilocks" choice—not too big, not too small, with sound that opens hearts without requiring advanced musical training

2. Construction Tradition: Calcutta or Delhi?

•  These represent different harmonium lineages with distinct sound personalities—like the difference between Kundalini and Hatha yoga approaches
•  Each has devoted followers and unique tonal characteristics that might resonate differently with your spiritual practice
• Click HERE  for a video that explains the differences

3. Your Relationship with Gravity and Space

•  Need Portability: Choose a collapsible/Safari style harmonium like the Bhava Mini (16 pounds, fits in airplane overhead without requiring negotiation skills or yoga-level flexibility)
•  Stationary Practice: Consider a Bhava Studio or similar non-folding model (the harmonium equivalent of your favorite meditation cushion—it stays in your sacred space)

4. Tuning: An Important Decision for Musical Harmony

When inviting a harmonium into your life, choose its voice wisely:

•  Concert Pitch (A-440) ✓ RECOMMENDED: The universal language of music—plays well with others, costs nothing extra, and won't raise eyebrows when jamming with musician friends
•  Cosmic Pitch (A-432) ✗ NOT RECOMMENDED: The musical equivalent of speaking Esperanto—beautiful in theory but confusing to everyone else (plus costs more for this special isolation!)

The Sacred Sustain Test: Measuring Your Harmonium's Breath 

 A quality harmonium should sustain a 2-note chord (in the middle of your keyboard) for 4-7 seconds. Less than 4 seconds means you'll be pumping more frantically than a yoga teacher who just realized they're late for class.

How to Properly Test Sustain (The Four-Step Ritual):

1.  Ensure the hooks on the sides of your instrument are properly fastened (like securing the foundation of your practice)
2.  Play Middle C and Middle G notes from the middle of the keyboard (the harmonium's heart center)
3.  While holding these notes, pump vigorously 3-4 times—not just once
4.  Stop pumping, continue holding the notes, and count the seconds of sustain (the sacred pause that reveals quality)

The Breath of Different Harmoniums:

•  Bhava Mini: 4-7 seconds (the sweet spot of sustain)
•  Smaller instruments (like Bhava Lite): Slightly less (still functional but requiring a bit more attention)
•  Larger instruments (like Bhava Classic or Studio): Slightly more (the deep-breathing yogis of the harmonium world)

From My Heart to Yours: The Recommendation

For most Western Kirtan practitioners, the Bhava Mini harmonium tuned to A-440 offers the perfect balance of good sustain, quality sound, and portability—like finding that perfect meditation cushion that supports your practice without calling attention to itself.

Quality matters tremendously—a substandard harmonium with poor sustain will have you focusing on pumping rather than connecting with the Divine through your chanting. It's like trying to meditate on an uncomfortable cushion that requires constant readjustment.

Investing in a proper instrument like those in the Bhava line will support your musical and spiritual journey rather than becoming yet another obstacle on your path. After all, your practice deserves an instrument that can hold sacred space as long as you can hold a note.

May your harmonium's sustain be as enduring as your devotion!

Promo Code 

Have questions or comments? Interested in receiving information about exclusive offers and a promo code that will give you a discount on your harmonium purchase at Old Delhi Music? Email [email protected], or check out our harmonium guide - Everything You Need to Know to Buy Your Perfect Harmonium. 

Learn More

Want to learn more about the harmonium? Check out these informative comparison blog posts:

• Choosing the Right Harmonium: All About That Sound
• Harmonium Taste Test