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Chapter 02: Correct Postures
There is not much needed to be said about postures. It’s
all about good judgment. If you sit in a proper posture, you will probably be
able to play for hours without a backache. There are many scenarios where
postures will change. Before we discuss postures, let us consider the fact that
not everyone has the same hand orientation. Some harmonium players are right
handed and some are left handed.
The simple trick is that the stronger hand plays the
keys on the keyboard while the wear hand goes to pump the bellows. A right
handed person will plays the keys using the right hand and pump the bellows
with the left hand. Likewise, the left handed person will do everything vice
versa.
TABLES
If you are playing your harmonium on a table, it all
depends on whether you will be sitting or standing. If you are standing, you
won’t have to worry about standing straight. If you are sitting and with the
highest point of the harmonium reaching your stomach line, then it is suggested
that you stand or get a higher seat. Playing a harmonium too high will be a
great strain to you hand and even your ability to play nicely.
GROUND
The ground will be the most common place you will
play your harmonium. It depends on two real roles the harmonium player could
assume. The first role is that the harmonium player will be singing while
playing. If that is the case, the harmonium should be as close to you as
possible in a comfortable position. In that case, you could place the harmonium
directly in front of you and play and sing. I, personally, do not like this
idea because for people who have short hands, it will be somewhat difficult to
reach all the way for the bellows, play the keys, and sing with a bent back.
Singers should sing with a straight back to get the maximum accuracy. This is
the reason why singers tend to keep the harmonium to their side with the hand
of least strength. A right handed
person who wishes to try this posture will place the harmonium to his or her left side. The distance from the right hand
to the harmonium is shorter than the left hand to the harmonium. Imagine a
right handed person taking a harmonium to the right side. It would be quite
painful, if not impossible, to play the keys. This way, the diaphragm is free
from any obstacle and the back is remained straight to produce maximum strength
in voice as well as accuracy in playing the harmonium.
If you are not singing, but playing the harmonium to
accompany someone, then you may place it in front of or off to the side. Either
way will be acceptable, since the harmonium is playing, not your voice.
Whichever of the two ways is comfortable for you, use that.
UPDATED: June 18, 2009