Thoughts on Mapping and Interface Design of a Keyboard to Perform Continuous Pitch Ornamentations in Hindustani Music

The harmonium, a free-reed keyboard instrument that originated in Europe, is now widely used for vocal accompaniment in Hindustani music. However, it lacks the ability to produce the characteristic pitch ornamentations of Hindustani music, presenting several limitations to its use. In this paper, we present our ideas about developing a keyboard interface and mapping scheme for a digital harmonium that can be used to perform such pitch ornamentations and overcome the limitations of an acoustic harmonium.