What is the Jew's harp?

The Jewish harp is a small musical instrument immediately recognizable for its twangs, vibrating sound. The instrument has a bow between the teeth or lips and a lonely stem that is ripped with your fingers. The Jewish harp, found around the world, is considered one of the oldest musical instruments in the world. The name "Jewish harp" is now considered offensive, especially because the instrument does not have a special connection with Jewish people or Judaism. This is known by a wide range of other names, including the jaw of harp, oral harp, Ozark Harp and Trump Harp.

usually made of metal, Jew's harp belongs to a class known as lamellophones, tools that produce sound through a plate or reeds connected to one end to the other to the other. Strumming Reed produces vibrations. With a Jewish harp, the player can produce various notes by moving the position of the tool in the mouth and controlling the deceased.

Oval piece called frame fits into the player's mouth. One end of the frame becomes two parallel stripes known as an arm, which protrude from the player's mouth. The metal piece called tongue runs from one side of the tool to the other and ends at the end of the arms into a long curved piece known as the trigger. At the top of the trigger is a small loop. The player twinkles the trigger and produces a distinctive Twang.

When playing on the instrument, the musician must definitely hold in his mouth to take the trigger to go out and not hit him in the face. The frame must be firmly held between the teeth or lips - otherwise the tool in the mouth can produce unpleasant vibrations. Because the instrument is held in the mouth, it is not unusual to see the news of the drooling while playing the tool.

Jewish harp is known for 300 B.C. Its earliest known use occurred in China, with the instrument gradually appearing in Asia and Europe because trade routes grew in the following centuries. Over the years, this instrument has literally acquired dozens of names, from Maultrommel, Germany to Brazilian Harpa de Boca to Gegongg Balinese. TodayYou will find the Jewish harp around the world in various music genres, largely due to its simplicity, relative legitivity and unique sound.