Bina HARMONIUM User manual

HARMONIUM
ACCOUSTIC KEYBOARD
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
This manual contains information & instructions relating to all
models of BINA Harmoniums. Please disregard whatever
information is not relevant to your model.
Bina Musical Stores
789, Nai Sarak, Delhi – 110 006 INDIA
ph: [phone], 2326-5889
fax: [phone]
email: binas[email protected]
website: www.binaswar.com

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 fits
admirably 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 HARMONIUMS
1. Standard harmonium is the basic form of the
harmonium as depicted in the picture.
2. Portable harmonium is a standard harmonium that
settles into a cavity that closes to form a suitcase
shape.
3. 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
BINA harmoniums come fitted with the following types of
bellows:
1. Single-fold bellow.
2. Double-fold bellows.
3. Triple-fold bellows.
4. Multi-fold bellows.
TYPES OF COUPLERS
1. 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).
2. 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 OFF (disengaged).

FUNCTION OF STOPS
Model No. 5, 10 and Bina Tarang (5 stops)
1. Male reeds
2. Bass reeds
3. Drone
4. Bass reeds
5. Tremolo
Model Nos. 8, 11, and 12 (7 stops)
1. Male reeds
2. Drone
3. Bass reeds
4. Drone
5. Bass reeds
6. Drone
7. Tremolo
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 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. Drone
5. Tremolo
6. Drone
Model No. 32
1. Drone
2. Female reeds
3. Drone
4. Bass reeds
5. Drone
6. Male reeds
7. Drone
8. Tremolo
9. Drone

SIZES OF HARMONIUMS
1. 2 ½ Octave – 30 / 32 keys
2. 3 ¼ Octave – 39 keys
3. 3 ½ Octave – 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.
Once again, we thank you for choosing a BINA
Harmonium and wish you years of melodious playing,
and assure you of any assistance you might ever
require.
Bina Musical Stores

WARRANTY
The harmonium is warranted against defects arising out of
faulty or defective materials or workmanship for a period of
ONE year from the date of purchase.
In case of a defect developing within the period of warranty,
BINA MUSICAL STORES will undertake to repair the
harmonium free of charge, provided the harmonium is
returned to the manufacturer, freight pre-paid with adequate
packing.
Tuning will be done at the cost of the owner.
This warranty is void if:
1. Physical abuse, improper handling, and reckless use by
the user damage the instrument.
2. Any repairs or modifications are made / attempted on
the harmonium by unauthorized personnel.
3. Counterfoil is not returned to Bina Musical Stores
within 15 days of purchase of harmonium.
Model of harmonium……………………………………………...
Date of purchase………………………………………………….
Purchaser’s name………………………………………………...
Address…………………………………………………………….
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………………………………………………………………………
Dealer’s name…………………………………………………….
Address…………………………………………………………….
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Dealer’s signature………………………………………………...

WARRATY COUNTERFOIL
To be returned to Bina Musical Stores within 15 days of
purchase of harmonium
Model of harmonium……………………………………………...
Date of purchase………………………………………………….
Purchaser’s name………………………………………………...
Address…………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………
Dealer’s name…………………………………………………….
Address…………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………
Dealer’s signature………………………………………………...

LEGAL INFORMATION
BINA™ is the exclusive trademark and property of BINA
MUSICAL STORES; any infringement of the same is a
violation of our exclusive rights.
BINA MUSICAL STORES, All rights reserved.
All material contained in this manual is the exclusive,
copyrighted property of BINA MUSICAL STORES. Any
printing or reproduction of this material in any form is strictly
prohibited without the express written permission of BINA
MUSICAL STORES. Requests for such permission should
be directed to:
Bina Musical Stores
789 Nai Sarak
Delhi 110 006
India
BINA MUSICAL STORES may make changes to these
materials, or to the products described therein, at any time
without notice. BINA MUSICAL STORES makes no
commitment to update the information contained therein.