instruction manual
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your fine choice! You are now a proud owner of a quality, genuine BINA musical instrument. BINA products are famous for their tonal quality as well as their reliability. BINA MUSICAL STORES was established over five decades ago, and has since then become the largest manufacturing and exporting house of premium musical instruments in India – a result of our constant endeavour to offer superior value and commitment to the discerning musician. Being the pioneers in the art of making the Harmonium, because of which BINA is a household name in select music circles, we have diversified, and can now boast of an impressive array of musical instruments in our product line. The name BINA assures you of excellent quality and constant effort to exceed customer expectations.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The harmonium is a very useful and all pervading accompanying acoustic keyboard. It is basically western in origin and entered India along with British rule, but the Indian Harmonium is now the sole survivor from its family that is being manufactured and used in a major way. It fitsadmirably in the Indian style of music rooted in melody of notes owing to its infinite adaptability and range of adjustments despite its limitation of having only fixed notes. BINA Harmoniums are made from high quality seasoned wood.
PARTS OF A HARMONIUM
- 1. The cover is a wooden plane that is placed over the keys and key springs to prevent dust from entering these areas. Most, but not all models come with a cover.
- 2. Coupler (also called “octave” function by some) is a feature that allows double key function. It automatically presses the corresponding key of the previous or next octave when any key is pressed on the keyboard.
- 3. Bellows are collapsible cardboard enclosures fixed on a wooden plate on the back of the Harmonium that pump air into the reed banks that in turn passes through the reeds, thus producing sound.
- 4. Key Springs keep the keys in their normal upright position.
- 5. Keyboard.
- 6.The large stop knobs fitted in front of the harmonium control the airflow into the reeds. The position is adjusted as per the sound required.
- 7.The smaller stop knobs control the drone/extra notes.
- 8.The reed board (hidden under the keys) is the plate on which the keys are set and has holes on top going all the way under, where the reeds are affixed.
TYPES OF HARMONIUM
Standard harmonium is the basic form of the harmonium as depicted in the picture
Portable harmonium is a standard harmonium that settles into a cavity that closes to form a suitcase shape
Scale changer is a harmonium in which the keys are not fixed over the reed board. The keys are instead mounted on a movable plate which slides sideways making one key’s place able on another note, thus allowing you to transpose over 9, 11 or 13 scales, depending on which model.
TYPES OF BELLOWS
Single-fold bellow.
Double-fold bellows
Triple-fold bellows
Multi-fold bellows.
TYPES OF COUPLERS
- Standard coupler option comes in most harmoniums. This type of coupler is a lever fixed to the right of the keyboard and when in the up position is ON (engaged) and when in the down position is OFF(disengaged).
- Scale changer harmoniums have the coupler on the front panel with the stops. It is the stop to the right (left in some) and slightly above the other stops.When pressed the coupler is ON (engaged) and when pulled out it is OF (disengaged).
FUNCTION OF STOPS
Model Nos. 9, 17s, 23 B 3 ½, and Sangeet (9 stops)
- 1. Male reeds
- 2. Drone
- 3. Bass reeds
- 4. Drone
- 5. Bass reeds
- 6. Drone
- 7. Tremolo
- 8. Drone
- 9. Male reeds
Model Nos. 8, 11, and 12 (7 stops)
- 1. Male reeds
- 2. Drone
- 3. Bass reeds
- 5. Bass reeds
- 6. Drone
- 7. Tremolo
Model No. 5, 10 and Bina Tarang (5 stops)
- 1. male reeds
- 2. Bass reeds
- 3. Drone
- 4. Bass reeds
- 5. Tremolo
Model No. 23 B 2 ½ Oct. (4 stops)
- 1. Male reeds
- 2. Bass reeds
- 3. Drone
- 4. Drone
Model No. 23 B (6 stops)
- 1. Male reeds
- 2. Bass reeds
- 3. Bass reeds
- 4. Tremolo
- 5. Drone
Model Nos. 9, 17s, 23 B 3 ½, and Sangeet (9 stops)
- 1. Male reeds
- 2. Female reeds
- 3. Drone
- 4. Bass reeds
- 5. Drone
- 6. Male reeds
- 6. Drone
- 7. Tremolo
- 8. Drone
SIZES OF HARMONIUMS
- 1. 2 ½ Octave – 30 / 32 keys
- 2. 3 ¼ Octave – 39 keys
- 3. 3 ½ Octa ve – 42 keys
- 4. Scale changer – the keyboard is 3 octaves with the option of shifting the scale 4 notes either up or down. (Please note that this is for a 9 scale Harmonium). 11 scales and 13 scales are also available.
Note: all keyboards begin with the note ‘C’.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
- 1. Remove the cover in a standard harmonium or pull out the folded portion in the case of a portable harmonium.
- 2. Open the bellows.
- 3. Pull out the stops as per the required volume or tone desired. (Refer to previous page for details).
- 4. Place the fingers on the keyboard before blowing air through the bellows.
- 5. After playing, let out the air from the bellows and reed chambers by pressing down a number of keys together. Remember to clip the bellows shut before releasing the air.
- 6. Close all the stops.
- 7. Replace the cover / fold the harmonium back.
CARE AND MAINTANANCE
- 1. Never store the harmonium in a damp place.
- 2. Avoid exposure to high temperature and direct sunlight.
- 3. Never insert anything in the holes at the back of the bellows.
- 4. Never blow air into the harmonium without having pulled out any stops.
- 5. Always remove all air from bellows before closing.
- 6. Always cover your harmonium after playing or when it has to be stored.
- 7. Never change the coupler position while playing the harmonium.
- 8. Do not use lacquer, thinner or similar chemicals for cleaning.
- 9. Lastly, the best maintenance for your harmonium is regular usage. Long duration of storage results in the tuning going out, sticking keys, and also in damage to the bellows.