I've spent a lot of time screening different instruments, yet honestly, nothing very matches the feel of a paul & co harmonium . If you've already been loitering the kirtan scene or diving into Indian classical music for any kind of length of time, you've probably noticed people whispering about these instruments like they're some type of holy grail. And the truth is, they kind of are. There's something about the particular way they're built in Kolkata that sets them apart from the mass-produced stuff you discover online.
It isn't just regarding the name or the particular prestige, though that will definitely plays a part. It's concerning the sound. When a person first take a seat behind one, you see the weight immediately. These types of aren't flimsy little boxes. A actual paul & co harmonium has this hefty, solid presence that tells you it's meant to last for decades, not only a few years of light practice.
What makes the audio so different?
The first point most people notice whenever they pump the bellows of a paul & co harmonium is the sustain. It's legendary. A person can give the particular bellows a couple of gentle pushes, let go, plus the note just hangs there in the air forever. It's almost such as the instrument is breathing with you. This happens because the internal woodwork is usually incredibly tight, plus they use high-quality leather for the regulators and bellows.
The tone itself is generally explained as "creamy" or even "mellow. " A few harmoniums can end up being really shrill—they kind of pierce your ears in a manner that will get annoying after twenty minutes. Using a Paul & Co, the reeds are usually voiced so properly that the sound stays warm even in the higher octaves. Whether you're major a loud, dynamic chant or simply playing some smooth chords for meditation, it just matches the mood.
The craftsmanship arriving out of Kolkata
You have got to understand that will these instruments are usually handmade in the small workshop within Kolkata. It's not a giant factory along with assembly lines plus robots. It's several highly skilled artisans who may have been performing this for generations. When you appear closely at the paul & co harmonium , you can see the little details that tell a tale. The way the teak wooden is polished, the particular precision of the particular keybed, and the particular responsiveness from the stops—it's all done by hand.
They often use seasoned teak wood, which is usually a big deal. Teak is definitely great because it doesn't warp easily when the weather adjustments. If you reside somewhere with high humidity or actually dry winters, you know how much of a nightmare that can be for wooden musical instruments. While no harmonium is completely immune system to the elements, these ones hold their own tune better than most since the wooden is actually steady.
Choosing in between scale-changers and normal models
If you're looking to buy a paul & co harmonium , you'll probably have to decide if you want a scale-changer or even a standard stationary model. This is where items get a little more individual (and a bit more expensive).
A scale-changer is like the particular Ferrari of harmoniums. It has the mechanism that enables you shift the entire keyboard upward or down so that you can play in different keys using the particular same finger patterns. It's incredibly handy if you're accompanying a singer who needs to alter keys, but a person only know the fingerings for Bhairavi in one placement. Paul & Co is famous regarding having one of the easiest scale-changing mechanisms within the world. This doesn't jam or even feel clunky like some of the cheaper versions on the market.
On the other hands, the non-scale-changer versions are lighter plus simpler. To end up being honest, unless you absolutely need that key-shifting feature, a regular 2-line or 3-line paul & co harmonium is usually more than more than enough for most people. Plus, they're easier to carry close to to yoga broadcasters or friends' homes.
The importance of the reeds
We can't talk about these instruments without bringing up the reeds. Most of the top-tier paul & co harmonium models come with "Palitana" reeds. In case you aren't a gear nerd, simply understand that Palitana reeds are basically the particular gold standard. They're made from a particular type of brass and are also hand-filed in order to get the perfect pitch.
The way these reeds interact with the air step in a Paul & Co box is definitely where the wonder happens. You get this rich, multi-layered audio that feels "thick. " When a person take out multiple stops to interact different banking institutions of reeds—like the male and feminine set—the harmony will be just gorgeous. It doesn't seem like two separate notes; it sounds like one particular massive, resonant tone of voice.
Is this worth the expense?
I'll be real with you—a paul & co harmonium isn't cheap. You're heading to pay the premium compared to a generic brand you might find on an export site. But here's the one thing: a person get what you purchase. I've seen a lot of people buy a "budget" harmonium just to have the keys start sticking or maybe the bellows begin leaking air after 6 months. Then these people end up investing more money attempting to repair it compared to they would possess spent on the good one to begin with.
Think associated with it as a long-term investment. For care of this, a Paul & Co will in fact hold its value. In fact, they frequently get better with age as the particular wood settles and the reeds "break in. " It's the kind of instrument you can pass right down to someone else later on.
A several things to look out for
Since they are so popular, a person do need to be careful about where you purchase them. Because the name is therefore well-known, you will find occasionally "knock-offs" or tools that claims to end up being made by Paul & Co but aren't quite the real deal. Always try to purchase from a reliable dealer who actually knows the way to package and ship these types of things.
Shipping is the particular scary part. Delivering a heavy wooden container filled with delicate metal reeds halfway throughout the world is really a recipe for catastrophe if it isn't done right. Create sure whoever you're buying from makes use of plenty of cushioning and maybe even a wooden cage. Once it happens, don't be surprised if it requires a tiny bit associated with tuning. Even the best paul & co harmonium can get a little grumpy after seated in a cool cargo plane regarding three days.
Keeping your harmonium happy
Once you finally get hold of one, you'll wish to treat it best. Don't leave this in the hot vehicle, and naturally don't depart it right next to a rad in the winter. The biggest killer of harmoniums is intense dryness, which may make the wooden crack. Using the small humidifier in the room during the winter weeks can save you a great deal of heartbreak.
Also, try in order to play it regularly! These instruments including to be used. It keeps the dirt out of the particular reeds and will keep the leather in the particular bellows supple. As well as, why wouldn't a person want to enjoy it? The whole point of owning a paul & co harmonium is to enjoy that incredible sound whenever possible.
Final thoughts around the encounter
At the end of the day, music is about how an instrument makes you feel. Whenever I play the paul & co harmonium , I experience more connected in order to what I'm carrying out. The keys possess a certain "bounce" to them that will makes fast passages easy, as well as the bellows respond to the particular slightest touch. It's an instrument that doesn't get in your way.
If you're serious about your practice, whether or not it's for kirtan, bhajans, or just personal meditation, a person really can't go wrong here. It might take a little while to save on with one, and a person may need to wait intended for a shipment in order to come in through India, but the moment you play that first chord, you'll know exactly why everyone raves about them. It's not just a box of reeds; it's an item of artwork.