The author S.K.Brockschmidt initially worked as an engineer for Microsoft before he discovered chanting in the 90s, gave up his job and started importing harmoniums into the USA on a regular basis. His good technical understanding, his perspective as an engineer together with his experience as an instrument dealer and musician make this a really excellent guidebook.

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The 35-page book presents the lyrics of nine Krishna bhajans and different melodies for the Hare Krishna maha mantra. The interesting thing about it: above every paragraph there are three names of musical notes which, when played together, make a chord that matches the corresponding melody. And above each piece of music a keyboard is pictured with the names of the notes on the keys so that it is very easy to find the correct keys on the harmonium. The book is completed by the English translations of the bhajan lyrics and by 11 black and white illustrations. And how do you learn the melodies? You just listen to the CD until they are stuck in your head! The bhajans and tunes are sung with a lot of feeling and with a number of variations by a melodious female voice, so listening is a pleasure. And the CD makes Easy Harmonium something beyond a beginners’ book which is also an interesting source for experienced musicians and of course for all Krishna devotees.

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The movement is from Bengal, has spread worldwide during the past fifty years and worships God Vishnu, particularly in his incarnation as Krishna. In the west they became known through mendicants singing and dancing in the streets. Their music is based on classical Northern Indian and on specific Bengal traditions with melodies and rhythms that are intoxicating on the one hand and very complex on the other hand. The DVD set was produced by insiders of the Hare Krishna movement and includes some cultic ritualistic elements that should be overlooked when the interest is of a purely musical nature. The presentation is in English and at times makes an improvised impression. But the material that is introduced offers a unique abundance of authentic information and is highly interesting for all percussionists with a passion for Indian grooves, for all Kirtan singers, for Krishna devotees and of course for all harmonium, Khol and cymbal players.

DVD 1: Mrdanga Lessons – Running time 87 minutes: 5 well-structured lessons with Krishna Kirtana Dasa and Nityananda Prana Dasa: Posture, Mridanga Mantra, stroke technique with phonetic syllables (Bols), stroke combinations, Asawari (8 beats), Kaharva (8 beats), Tihais (endings that are repeated three times), Karfa (16 beats) and Jhati (4 beats). And finally some vocal bhajans accompanied by harmonium, Mrdanga and Kartals.

DVD 2: Harmonium Lessons – 113 minutes: 8 well-structured lessons by Vaiyasaki Dasa in traditional Indian melody playing for accompanying vocals with c# as keynote: Fingering, different scales, technical basic exercises and simple tunes. Finally 14 more complex pieces of music with elaborate accompaniment for playing along and replaying for advanced musicians. Besides, four further challenging Visnujana pieces with Sunanda Dasa.

DVD 3: Kartal – Running time 36 minutes: Krishna Kirtana Dasa demonstrates posture, stroke techniques, various songs and basic rhythms in 6, 7, 8, 12, and 16 beats.

DVD 4: Sri Prahlad Harmonium Melodies – Running time 90 minutes: Sri Prahlad presents thirty sung melodies with ambitious harmonium accompaniment in D and E and in medium tempo for the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra as well as seven further hymns called Melodies for Pranama. Besides, an introduction into purpose and practice of chanting and Kirtan singing in the Hare Krishna movement.

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A DVD series produced in India called "Teach Yourself...." offers the possibility to get an insight into Indian teaching methods. All DVDs with the title "Teach Yourself...." are in English and have a running time of 90 - 120 minutes. Since the DVDs were produced for the Indian market, it is at times assumed that you understand Indian terms. Also at times the typical Indian style of teaching does not always seem plausible and is in parts contradictory. Auch auftretende Fehler im synchronen Verlauf von Bild und Ton treten auf. Aufgrund des günstigen Preises, der Materialfülle und dem Umstand, dass es oft keine Alternativen auf dem Markt gibt bieten wir diese DVD-Reihe trotzdem an.