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A reed organ is a musical instrument that produces sound through free reeds—thin pieces of metal that vibrate when air passes through them. It was an important keyboard instrument in homes and churches, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries, before electronic organs became common.
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A hand-pumped Indian harmonium, of the type used in South Asia, here used at a European jazz festival. The pump organ or reed organ is a type of organ that uses free reeds to generate sound, with air passing over vibrating thin metal strips mounted in a frame. Types include the pressure-based harmonium, the suction reed organ (which employs a vacuum system), and the Indian harmonium. Historical examples include the Kunstharmonium and the American reed organ, while earlier forms include the physharmonica and the seraphine.
More portable than pipe organs, free-reed organs became widespread in smaller churches and private homes during the 19th century, although their volume and tonal range were limited. They generally featured one, or occasionally two, manuals, while pedal-boards were rare. Higher-end pump organs offered a broader range of tones, and models intended for churches or affluent households were often housed in finely crafted cabinets.