# Physharmonica

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Physharmonica
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Physharmonica.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physharmonica
> Source revision: 1053963295
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

A physharmonica from the first half of the 19th century in the collection of Organeum in Weener, Germany.

The **physharmonica** is a keyboard instrument fitted with free reeds, a kind of [harmonium](/source/Pump_organ) much used in [Germany](/source/Germany) in the early 20th century.[1]

## Description

The physharmonica resembles a small harmonium, but is differentiated from it by having no stops, being without percussion action, having only a 4 octave compass, and not speaking readily or clearly. As with the harmonium, the bellows are worked by the feet by an alternate movement, which also affords a means of varying the dynamic force of the tone according as more or less energetic pedalling increases or decreases the pressure of the wind supply.[1]

The physharmonica was invented in 1818 by [Anton Haeckl](/source/Anton_Haeckl), of Vienna; in the original instrument the bellows were placed right and left immediately under the shallow wind-chest, and were worked by means of pedals connected by stout wire. A specimen, having a compass of four octaves and a very sweet tone, is preserved in the collection of Paul de Wit, formerly in Leipzig, transferred to Cologne and then back to Leipzig's Grassi Museum.[1]

A patent for improvements to this type of instrument was granted to [Anton Reinlein](/source/Anton_Reinlein) 1824. [Christian Friedrich Ludwig Buschmann](/source/Christian_Friedrich_Ludwig_Buschmann) also built similar instruments at least by 1828. There were also others who produced these instruments such as [Johann Caspar Schlimbach](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Johann_Caspar_Schlimbach&action=edit&redlink=1) with [Bernhard Eschenbach](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bernhard_Eschenbach&action=edit&redlink=1), [Carl Friedrich Voit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Carl_Friedrich_Voit&action=edit&redlink=1) [[de](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Friedrich_Voit)] in [Schweinfurt](/source/Schweinfurt) and [Friedrich Sturm)](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Friedrich_Sturm_(instrument_maker)&action=edit&redlink=1) [[de](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Sturm_(Instrumentenbauer)] in [Stuhl](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Stuhl&action=edit&redlink=1).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## See also

- [Aeolodion](/source/Aeolodion)

- [Hammond organ](/source/Hammond_organ)

## Notes

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESchlesinger1911548_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESchlesinger1911548_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESchlesinger1911548_1-2) [Schlesinger 1911](#CITEREFSchlesinger1911), p. 548.

## References

- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the [public domain](/source/Public_domain): Schlesinger, Kathleen (1911). "[Physharmonica](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Physharmonica)". In [Chisholm, Hugh](/source/Hugh_Chisholm) (ed.). *[Encyclopædia Britannica](/source/Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica_Eleventh_Edition)*. Vol. 21 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 548.

## External links

- [Le phyharmonica](http://www.harmoniumnet.nl/voorlopers-physharmonika.html)

- [on harmonium.forum](http://harmonium.forumactif.net/presentations-d-instruments-f1/le-physharmonica-t61.htm)

v t e Reed aerophones Double reed Cylindrical bore Balaban Chirimia Duduk Guan Piri Conical bore Bassoon Bombard English horn Gralla Hne Kèn Oboe Oboe d'amore Piston Rhaita Shawm Sopila Taepyeongso Single reed Cylindrical bore Alboka Arghul Bülban Chalumeau Clarinet Diplica Launeddas Mijwiz Pibgorn Reclam de xeremies Sipsi Xaphoon Zhaleika Conical bore Aulochrome Heckel-clarina Heckelphone-clarinet Octavin Saxophone Tárogató Free reed Single Bawu Bullroarer Party horn Pitch pipe Sneng Whistle Sets Accordion Claviola Concertina Couesnophone Harmoneon Harmonica Chromatic Diatonic Richter-tuned Tremolo Gourd mouth organ Hornophone Hulusi Khene Lusheng Mangtong Martinshorn Melodica Organetto Physharmonica Pan pipe Pump organ Guide-chant Indian harmonium Orthotonophonium Saenghwang Sheng Shō Triola Yu Other Bore Quadruple reed Reed Tone hole

Authority control databases GND

This article relating to free reed aerophones is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information.

- [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:FreeReed-instrument-stub)
- [t](/source/Template_talk%3AFreeReed-instrument-stub)
- [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:FreeReed-instrument-stub)

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Physharmonica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physharmonica) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physharmonica?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.