The package from India arrived all wrapped in shiny purple paper with tiny flowers, like the gift wrap of a really great seven year old's birthday party. I set it down in the kitchen and began tearing off the packaging and after about a half hour of cutting through about ten layers of tape, cardboard, styrofoam and protective packaging (I am definitely impressed with the thoroughness and consideration to keep this baby safe on its journey from Delhi to Ohio), I could finally see the top exposed. A wooden rectangle, it looked like a shiny bald head still surrounded by the white styrofoam. With this reveal, my speed increased - I couldn't wait to get this thing free! I finally got the last bit of packaging loose and lifted the rectangle shaped instrument up out, a waft of sandalwood hitting my nostrils. I set it in my lap, in awe of its beauty and potential. After years of desiring a harmonium and months and months of research, asking fellow harmonium musicians question after question and online comparison shopping, I had finally become the proud owner of my own brand new shiny harmonium!
But I had absolutely no idea where to begin with it. After I figured out how to open it (which took longer that I'd like to admit), I pressed down the middle C key and pulled in the bellows for the first time. Urrrrrrrrr...... I smiled so big! I was so excited! I spent about an hour just getting to know it on my own, playing a few keys and making up a little song, but realized quickly that just because I play piano doesn't mean I can't benefit from some specific instruction on this wondrously different instrument.
It came with a free (an aptly titled) "How to play Harmonium" booklet. I sat down with the harmonium next to me and looked through it, but since the majority of it is in Sanskrit and it looks like it was printed in 1984, I knew my next step was to find a more modern, accessible instruction. (Though I did find it very amusing that at the end of the book were several western sheet music pages for what were described as "popular songs." These included Red Temperton's Baby, Come to Me, The Bangles' Eternal Flame and a random David Lynch song from the Twin Peaks soundtrack. So, I was right on it being made in the 80s.)
I had researched the Bhakti Breakfast Club at Kirtan Central awhile back and watched a few of the introductory videos. I had first heard of Daniel Tucker through his Kirtan workshops at Kripalu when I was there. I had thought that perhaps I could attend one weekend intensive, but with the baby and work, I knew that wasn't going to happen anytime soon. So, here are several courses he teaches all online. I signed up and am ready to go! Ever the academic nerd, I can't wait to see what I learn!
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