Learning to Play the Harmonium

Yesterday I had my first harmonium lesson... I am totally hooked. I was fortunate enough to borrow one to take home and play with on my own for the evening and I sat down with my eyes closed and sang and played for probably an hour. The sound is so calming and beautiful to listen to it seemed to put me in an instant trance.

Backing up a bit- a harmonium is an Indian instrument typically used for Kirtan (call and response chanting). It has a keyboard and a bellows (kind of like an accordian) and when you play the keys and pump the bellows you get a lovely sound.

For a lovely example of Kirtan and the sound of harmonium check out Jai Uttal or Krishna Das.