Used Equipment

What is the Difference Between a Harmonium and a Shruti Box and How are They Played?

A <a href=”http://www.prestomusicstore.com/product-detail.php?pid=MFG-HMMC”>Harmonium</a> is a musical instrument which is similar to a Pipe Organ or a Reed Organ. When air is blown through the reed, it produces a sound similar to that of an accordion. The British introduced this instrument in India and the type used in Indian music is hand-operated.
Alexander Debain invented the harmonium in the Paris in 1842. In the late 19th century, this instrument began to attain popularity in the West. Small churches started using harmoniums instead of pipe organs. Harmoniums were popular because of their light weight and ease of transportation. It also works well regardless of the heat and humidity.

Harmoniums are generally with one, two, or three sets of reeds and occasionally up to four sets. Classical instrumentalists use one-reed harmoniums; The three reed harmoniums are used by musicians playing for gawalli. To play the instrument, it requires a pumping of the bellows with one hand and taping of the keys with other.

French-made hand–pumped harmoniums have become very popular in India because they are easy to learn. Further additions of the drone stops and scale changing mechanisms in India have developed in the harmoniums. Hand-held harmoniums were introduced in India.  This had a quick response because the musicians played the instrument sitting on the floor.

The qualities of harmonium suits well for group singing, large voice classes and also as a template for standardized raga grammar. This instrument was banned by All India Radio (1940 to1971) because of its inability to produce slides between notes. Hindus and Sikh largely use harmoniums for bhajan and kirtan.

A <a href=”http://www.prestomusicstore.com/product-detail.php?pid=MFG-SHRSM”>
Shruti Box</a> is a traditional instrument based on a system of bellows. It is used to provide a drone in the concert of Indian classical music. It is usually accompanied with other instruments, particularly the flute. The electronic shruti box is used widely nowadays. It is called “shruti petti” in Tamil and the “sur peti” in Hindi. Since it is hand-pumped, it produces a pulsating constant chord that supports the right rhythm for the music being played.

A German company exported shruti boxes to India. These boxes were manufactured by a company in India as well. The craftsmanship on these shruti boxes are the of best quality and the reeds are made by top reed makers. The dimensions of the shruti boxes are 11 ¾”L x 9”H x 3?W. It has a padded bag and a shoulder strap. There are three models in shruti boxes – C to C, a lower G to G, or the lowest F to F in chromatic half steps.

Both the Shruti Box and Harmonium are available for purchase at www.PrestoMusicStore.com

Let the sounds be heard,

-Presto Music Store Team

This article is brought to you by the good folks at
<a href=”http://www.prestomusicstore.com/”>
Presto Music Store!</a>
Bringing The World Of Music To Your Door.

About the Author

Musical Columnist for Presto Music Store!

1940s Matchbook Buckeye Pump Mfg. Co. Columbus OH MB $1.49

Vintage illustration of Condensation Pump by Hoffman Specialty Mfg 1955 Print Ad $3.66

CHROME BB CHEVY AND SB FORD FUEL PUMP BLOCK OFF PLATE $3.95

1907 Invoice L.M.Rumsey Mfg.Co. St.Louis Pumps & Plmbg. $3.99

Campbell Mfg BSC-150 1-1/2″SUMP PUMP CK VALVE $4.21

Campbell Mfg BSC-125-B 1-1/4″SUMP PUMP CK VALVE $4.36

New Solberg Vacuum Pump Filter MFG p/n 824 Filter Element Paper $4.50

1915 Ad Fort Wayne Ind Engineering & Mfg Paul Water Supply Pump $4.99

John Bean Mfg.. Lansing, MI. Co Brochure High Pressure Pumps $6.00

Windmill Pumping Capacity Charts, for 9 major mfg.’s $6.99

1921 Allis-Chalmers Mfg Ad: Centrifugal Mine Pumps $7.00

1929 Allis-Chalmers Mfg Ad: Municipal Pumping Units $7.00

U.S. Seal Mfg. PS-1000 Pool Pump Shaft Seal PS1000 $7.50

U.S. Seal Mfg. Pool & Spa Pump Motor 5/8″ Shaft Seal PS-200 PS200 $7.50

Bando Mfg of America 6405 Alternator And Water Pump Belt $7.66

U.S. Seal Mfg. Pool & Spa Pump Motor 5/8″ Shaft Seal PS-200 PS200 $7.90

Bando Mfg of America 3255 Power Steering And Water Pump Belt $7.94

Bando Mfg of America 3250 Power Steering And Water Pump Belt $7.94

U.S. Seal Mfg. Pool & Spa Pump Motor 5/8″ Shaft Seal PS-200 PS200 ^ $7.95

U.S. Seal Mfg Pool & Spa Pump Motor 5/8″ Shaft Seal PS-1000 PS1000 ^ $8.95

U.S. Seal Mfg. Pool & Spa Pump Motor 5/8″ Shaft Seal PS-100 PS100 ^ $8.95

U.S. Seal Mfg. Pool & Spa Pump Motor 3/4″ Shaft Seal PS201 PS-201 ^ $8.95

U.S. Seal Mfg. Pool & Spa Pump Motor 5/8″ Shaft Seal PS-2131 PS2131 ^ $8.95

U.S. Seal Mfg. Pool & Spa Pump Motor Shaft Seal PS-501 PS501 ^ $9.95

Eagle No.58 Eaglet Pump Oiler 5 oz. capacity Eagle Mfg. Co. Wellsburg, W. Va. $9.95

hit and miss engine ram pump jacobsen mfg co. racing wis. 2 – 7036 parts $9.99

UNKNOWN MFG. NEW 3″ BUNA-N PUMP BODY GASKET LOT OF 2 $9.99

CENTRIFUGAL PUMP ELK BRASS MFG. CO. MODEL 815 12 VOLTS DC $9.99

CHAPIN NOZZLE KIT MFG 6-4824 3 piece fan pattern nozzle KIT for PUMP SPRAYERS $9.99

VINTAGE Aquarium Air Pump Piston Belt Driven Mason & Willis Mfg Co. Bronx NY $10.00

Bando Mfg of America 2585 Air Conditioning, Air Pump And Fan Belt $10.20

Bando Mfg of America 2620 Air Conditioning, Water Pump And Power Steering Belt $10.20

Bando Mfg of America 2240 Air Pump Belt $10.20

Bando Mfg of America 2265 Air Pump And Water Pump Belt $10.20

Bando Mfg of America 4530 Power Steering And Water Pump Belt $10.26

Bando Mfg of America 4375 Air Conditioning And Water Pump Belt $10.26

Bando Mfg of America 3255 Power Steering And Water Pump Belt $10.61

Bando Mfg of America 3510 Power Steering And Water Pump Belt $10.61

Bando Mfg of America 4530 Power Steering And Water Pump Belt $10.64

Bando Mfg of America 6335 Air Conditioning And Air Pump Belt $10.64

Bando Mfg of America 6405 Alternator And Water Pump Belt $10.64

Bando Mfg of America 2240 Air Pump Belt $10.98

Bando Mfg of America 3510 Power Steering And Water Pump Belt $10.98

Bando Mfg of America 2585 Air Conditioning, Air Pump And Fan Belt $10.98

Jacuzzi Carvin Pump Impeller Eye Seal 1/2-1HP MFG PN 10-1462-07 Magnum J Series $11.01

Bando Mfg of America 1375 Air Pump Belt $11.02

POULAN 530071259 OIL PUMP KIT. ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MFG. $11.25

K-P Mfg. Antique Pump Oil Can $12.00

Bando Mfg of America 3250 Power Steering And Water Pump Belt $12.36

Bando Mfg of America 3255 Power Steering And Water Pump Belt $12.36

Bando Mfg of America 3510 Power Steering And Water Pump Belt $12.56

Bando Mfg of America 3255 Power Steering And Water Pump Belt $12.56

Bando Mfg of America 2265 Air Pump And Water Pump Belt $12.56

U.S. Seal Mfg. Pool & Spa Pump 3/4″ Viton Shaft Seal PS3868 PS-3868 ^ $12.95

HAIER Clothes Washer Drain Pump #WD-5470-10 MFG. Label No. 7402-62016 $12.99

1918 OLD MAGAZINE PRINT AD, KELLOGG MFG ENGINE DRIVEN TIRE PUMP! $12.99

Gasoline Pump Mfg. Assn. 1939 News Bulletin Vol. 5 #15 $12.99

1909 MANZEL BROS OIL PUMPS MFG BUFFALO NEW YORK NY LETTERHEAD GAS ENGINES STEAM $13.99

LOT Vintage Antique STOVE REGULATOR Keys The Pump Buckeye MFG Co Cols Ohio $14.00

Bando Mfg of America 3250 Power Steering And Water Pump Belt $14.40

Bando Mfg of America 3255 Power Steering And Water Pump Belt $14.40

New U.S. Seal MFG Corp. PS-358 Pump Seal / Shaft Seal Boxed Kit 0.75″ Shaft Size $14.50

Baxter PumpHead Pump Head F069180557 FH-02-MFG-0004-15 USED FOR PARTS ONLY $14.62

U.S. Seal MFG. Corp. PS-553 Pump Seal 1.5″ ID 2.125″ OD $14.99

TEEL Model 1P867 115V Condensate Pump Furnace/Air Conditioning HVAC Dayton MFG $15.95

DETROIT MI Pump & Mfg Co SUPER PUMPS MACHINE Old Postcard $16.74

U.S. Seal Mfg. Vico Spa Pump Motor Shaft Seal PPUFSEAL PS-2136 PS2136 ^ $16.95

U.S. Seal Mfg. Pool & Spa Pump 3/4″ Shaft Seal PS-601 PS601 $16.95

New U.S. Seal MFG Corp. PS-508 Pump Seal /Shaft Seal Boxed Kit 0.625″ Shaft Size $18.00

NEW UNKNOWN MFG. 8″ BLACK CASING GASKET SP318 PUMP LOT OF 4 $19.99

NOS UNKNOWN MFG. STATIONARY SEAL RING SANITARY PUMP STAINLESS STEEL LOT OF 4 $19.99

HUMBOLDT H-12090 MFG. NICKEL PLATED ZINC FILTER PUMP ASPIRATOR $19.99

Old Hand Operated Food Chopper Dicer Glass Jar Pump LORRAINE METAL MFG $19.99

Vintage Model A Tire Pump Inland Pump Mfg patent July 13, 1916, Chicago IL 6IXL $20.00

BMW BELT Alternator/Power Steering/Water Pump OEM MFG $20.86

rat rod hot rod flathead Ford fuel pump stand block-off $22.00

Original A.Y. McDonald Mfg Co. Deep Well Pumps Instruction Manual Series 400 600 $22.49

New U.S. Seal MFG Corp. PS-525 Pump Seal /Shaft Seal Boxed Kit 1.25″ Shaft Size $22.50

BMW BELT Alternator/Power Steering/Water Pump ContiTECH $22.84

U.S. Seal Mfg. Pool & Spa Pump 1″ Shaft Seal PS-360 PS360 $22.95

Pump Coupler L37-350 (Mfg. #118705) $22.99

hotrod rat rod chevy finned aluminum fuel pump blockoff $24.00

Chrome Tight Spot Oil Pump Fitting Set Incl.5/16 Socket $24.00

Vintage Miller Mfg. Water Pump Lubricant Oil and Gas Advertising Metal Tin Can $24.95

Cross Mfg Hydraulic Pump / Motor Seal Kit 6P0017-001 $24.95

BMW BELT Alternator/Power Steering/Water Pump OEM MFG # 6PK1560 $24.96

NEW UNKNOWN MFG. 15 TO 55 GALLON DARK BLUE DRUM PUMP KIT COMES WITH 3 SPOUTS $24.99

UNKNOWN MFG. NEW 4″ BLACK CASING GASKETS FOR SP-214 PUMP LOT OF 6 SEE PHOTOS $24.99

1911 ad a trojan tire pump dal mfg $24.99

New U.S. Seal MFG Corp. PS-598 Pump Seal /Shaft Seal Boxed Kit 1.25″ Shaft Size $25.00

USED NASCAR POWER STEERING PUMP MOUNT 300-38 BY SWEET MFG. $25.00

PNEUMATIC PUMP MFG CORP #MX-1.125X1-V-SP $25.00

1948-50 KAISER&FRAZER N.O.S.QUALITY MFG.#796 FUEL PUMP REPAIR KIT !!!!!!!!!!!!!! $26.50

Zoeller Sump Pump Check Valve 2″ x 2″ Plastic Slip x Slip mfg 30-0021 $26.99

New U.S. Seal MFG Corp. PS-358V Pump Seal /Shaft Seal Boxed Kit 0.75″ Shaft Size $27.50

Dry Air Pump – CORE ONLY – Model 200 CC – Airborne Mfg. $29.95

OLD LONG WOODEN VINEGAR PUMP PIECE FROM BARREL W/ LABEL CLINTON MFG CO SABINA OH $29.95

The Diamond Iron by Akron Lamp & MFG Company Kerosene Vintage W Pump & Bulb Oil $29.99

1910 ad b goulds mfg co reliable pumps $29.99

1884 ad a gaskills steam pumps holly mfg lockport $29.99