[Harp-L] Harmonium

[bon@xxxxxxxxxx (Robert Bonfiglio)]

The harmonium is a organ with pedal which draw air over metal reeds
replacing the Regal wchich in Bach's time had wooden reeds.  Haydn wrote
for the harmoniun and not long after that somebody thought of placing the
reeds on a small piece of wood and drawing air over them with your mouth.
A small harmonium becomes a harmonika since the diminutive in German adds
the ka at the end.

The glochenspiel is also called a "harmonica" in some languages and having
tuned metal bars or reeds can bring out the name.  Having been called
several times by the major orchestras to play the "harmonica" part in
Carnival of the Animals, I am not sure  what is called for, glass harmonica
or glochenspiel, maybe celeste.

It is possible that the tuned reeds gave it the "harp" name at first as
well, but I am not sure about that.

Harmonically yours,

Robert Bonfiglio

http://www.robertbonfiglio.com/main