How do Harmonium stops work, and if they get bent how do you repair them?
Sep 23, 2001 02:10 p.m.
My husband and I just bought a harmonium at a flea market. Most all of the stops are bent, and I guess we will try to bend them back in place. I was wondering if some one could explain how to work the stops - what is their function? Do they change the key? Are they best pushed all the way in or all the way out? All the stops have a screw end should they be screwed all the way in? We're very happy with it but it would be great if we knew how to play it.
Thank you to any one who responds to this message.
letha
Re:How do Harmonium stops work, and if they get bent how do you repair them?
Sep 23, 2001 06:16 p.m.
Hi LETHA !!! . . . 1/ Yes carefully and as SCIENTIFICALLY as possible straighten the STOP shafts . . . 2/ The KNOBS should be done up just FIRM . . . 3/ NORMALLY you don't PUMP the BELLOWS unless at least ONE . . REED CHAMBER stop is OPEN and KEYS are pressed . . . or ALTERNATIVELY one REED CHAMBER Stop is OPEN and at least one DRONE STOP is also open . . . otherwise you risk BURSTING the BELLOWS . . . 4/ Try out the STOPS individually to find out what they do . . . But BEWARE of overloading/ BURSTING the bellows . . . Different manufacturers have different orders and functions . . 5/ At least one STOP will be a REED CHAMBER stop . . . Another may be an OCTAVE CHANGE stop . . . Another a VIBRATO stop . . . Others will a selection of DRONE stops . . . Tell us a little about your harmonium . . where you bought it :-) How much it cost :-) etc etc . . . Welcome and Blessings . . .
