Everything You Need to Know to Buy Your Perfect Harmonium

The first step in creating a beautiful chant practice is finding a quality harmonium. But here's the heart-opening truth: 98% of harmoniums on the market are about as suitable for Western Kirtan as flip-flops are for mountain climbing.

The Spiritual Reality Check

Learning on a subpar harmonium is like trying to learn to ride a bike with a flat tire—technically possible, but unnecessarily challenging to your spiritual well-being. You'll spend your precious energy wrestling with the instrument instead of connecting with the Divine through sound.

I've witnessed the light dim in students' eyes when they arrive at workshops with instruments they've invested good money in, only to discover they've inadvertently adopted the harmonium equivalent of a temperamental cat:

•  Reeds that buzz like a meditation hall full of snorers
•  Keys that stick like they're coated in spiritual superglue
•  Sustain shorter than a toddler's attention span
•  Tuning that makes other musicians head to the other side of the room
•  Construction that makes playing feel like a highly advanced yoga posture

This breaks my heart every time. There's nothing more disheartening than watching someone's enthusiasm for chanting fade as they struggle with an instrument that's actively working against their devotional expression.

The "Buy Once, Chant Happy" Approach

Many spiritual seekers try to save money initially, only to discover they've purchased an instrument that creates more obstacles than opportunities. Then comes the painful decision: persist with an inadequate harmonium (practice patience to an extreme degree) or invest in a second, better instrument.

I want to spare you this particular form of musical suffering. Unlike cars, harmoniums don't have lemon laws—yet the market is flooded with more lemons than a California citrus farm!

The Harmonium Decision Tree: Key Questions to Narrow Your Search

1. What's Your Musical Path: Indian Classical or Western Kirtan?

•  Indian Classical Music: Consider a scale changer harmonium (like upgrading from a regular yoga class to advanced Ashtanga—more complex but rewarding for truly dedicated practitioners)
•  Western Kirtan (Krishna Das, Snatam Kaur style): A Bhava Mini is the "Goldilocks" choice—not too big, not too small, with sound that opens hearts without requiring advanced musical training

2. Construction Tradition: Calcutta or Delhi?

•  These represent different harmonium lineages with distinct sound personalities—like the difference between Kundalini and Hatha yoga approaches
•  Each has devoted followers and unique tonal characteristics that might resonate differently with your spiritual practice
• Click HERE  for a video that explains the differences

3. Your Relationship with Gravity and Space

•  Need Portability: Choose a collapsible/Safari style harmonium like the Bhava Mini (16 pounds, fits in airplane overhead without requiring negotiation skills or yoga-level flexibility)
•  Stationary Practice: Consider a Bhava Studio or similar non-folding model (the harmonium equivalent of your favorite meditation cushion—it stays in your sacred space) 

The Bhava Family: Levels of Sound Enlightenment

All Bhava models (Lite, Mini, Classic & Studio) come in three ascending quality tiers:

•  Standard: Pine wood construction (good—like your first yoga mat)
•  Limited: Cedar wood construction (better—like upgrading to the cushioned mat)
•  Concert: Teak wood with no nails for superior resonance (best—like the professional-grade mat that makes everyone in class slightly envious)

Tuning: A Harmonic Decision

•  Concert (A-440): ✓ RECOMMENDED for compatibility with other instruments and musicians (plays well with others)
•  Cosmic (A-432): Not recommended unless you have specific spiritual reasons and plan to play in isolation (additional fees apply for this particular form of musical solitude)

From My Heart to Yours: The Recommendation

For most Kirtan players, a Bhava Mini harmonium (Delhi style, collapsible) tuned to A-440 offers the perfect balance of quality and portability. This is what I personally use for touring and travel—my faithful companion on countless musical journeys across the globe.

I share this advice with deep compassion for your spiritual path. The right harmonium will be your trusted partner for years of heart-opening practice, while the wrong one can derail your musical journey before the first verse of "Om Namah Shivaya" is complete.

May your harmonium search be blessed with clarity, and may the instrument you choose support your devotion rather than test your patience!

Promo Code 

Have questions or comments? Interested in receiving information about exclusive offers and a promo code that will give you a discount on your harmonium purchase at Old Delhi Music? Email [email protected].

Learn More

Want to learn more? Check out these nine super informative harmonium blog posts:

• How to Buy a Harmonium, Not a Headache
• Choosing the Right Harmonium: All About That Sound
• Choosing the Right Harmonium: The Magic of Sustain
• My Harmonium Taste Test
• Instrument Showdown: Sruti Box vs. Harmonium 
• Three Levels of Quality with the New & Improved Bhava Harmoniums
• Harmonium Showdown: Bhava Studio vs. Bhava Mini
• Harmonium Showdown: Bhava Lite vs. Bhava Mini
• Harmonium Showdown: Bhava Classic vs. Bhava Mini

Colorado Friends

Try Before You Buy

If you live in Colorado, I may have several instruments on hand for you to try. Reach out to me via the form on this page and we can set up a time for you to come over to try them out. Playing an instrument is the best way to be certain you pick the one you love. 

Harmonium Rentals

Students in the Boulder/Denver area can rent a harmonium before investing in purchasing one. I have several good Bhava harmoniums to rent on a monthly basis. Get in touch for more information.

Outside Colorado

If you don't live in Colorado, I can send you a promo code for 5% off your online order with Old Delhi Music. Get in touch through the form on this page for more information.

Not sure if chanting at home is really for you? 

Check out our Free Class, which is titled Kirtan for the 21st Century. Through this course you will discover the origins of Kirtan, how it came to the West, and why it is so important for modern day Western culture!