How to Buy a Harmonium, Not a Headache
The only thing more amazing than chanting is getting behind a harmonium for your own personal chant practice. Whether you long to chant at home, add Kirtan to yoga classes or share Kirtan in your community, you will need a great harmonium. Here are important things to know so you can buy a harmonium, and not a headache!
WARNING: Junker harmoniums are a headache
Unfortunately, not all harmoniums are created equal. The vast majority of harmoniums are “junker” instruments.
Trying to chant on a bad/broken harmonium is like trying to ride a bike with a flat tire—so frustrating. If you have a “junker” you will unfortunately spend time, energy, and attention fighting the instrument, making it challenging to learn and difficult to enjoy your chanting practice. Not good.
My intention is to help you get a great harmonium so you can easily dive into this amazing practice. Decades of experience with harmoniums have taught me the following important lessons:
Old Delhi Music is a North American shop offering unique handcrafted Indian instruments that begin in the hands of India’s best builders and end with careful, meticulous refinement at their location Urbana, IL. When it comes to harmoniums, they are the best in the business. They know their builders personally and their products even more intimately.
Their Bhava harmoniums are my favorite. They are without question the highest quality, and most consistently great Kirtan harmoniums I have ever played. The extra care Old Delhi puts into carefully sourcing and refining each instrument is obvious. This ensures that what you get from them will not be something you struggle against, but rather, an instrument you can enjoy now and for years to come.
The Goldilocks Harmonium
My favorite instrument (and the one I have been playing for 9 years) is the bestselling Bhava Mini. I play a Bhava Mini on the road and in the recording studio and strongly recommend you consider purchasing one as well.
The Bhava Mini looks great, is easy to transport, and has a surprisingly big/rich sound and long sustain for such a small instrument. At just 16 pounds the Bhava Mini is highly portable and easily fits into an airplane overhead. For most people this instrument is “just right.”
I play a Bhava Mini, as do most of my students and many touring/recording Kirtan musicians. The Mini is so high quality that my Kirtan music producer Ben Leinbach (Jai Uttal, Deva Premal, etc.) keeps one in his recording studio.
Get Yourself a Great Harmonium
A great harmonium sounds fantastic the moment you take it out of the box. A great harmonium will facilitate your learning and offer years or decades of enjoyment. If for some reason you decide to sell your instrument, a great harmonium will retain its value.
I hope this guide helps you purchase a top-notch harmonium that supports you in bringing Kirtan into your home and perhaps event sharing this exquisite practice with others.
Have questions or comments? Interested in receiving information about exclusive offers and discounts? Please click here and we will get back to you soon.
And, feel free to reach out to Nic at Old Delhi Music. He is kind, decent and caring and will be happy to answer all of your questions.
LEARN MORE
Have questions or comments? Interested in receiving information about exclusive offers and discounts? Please click here and we will get back to you soon. Or, check out our harmonium guide - Everything You Need to Know to Buy Your Perfect Harmonium.
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