What is Harp's mouth?

Although Harp's mouth is often associated with Bluegrass's music, its history actually returns thousands of years. The version of this simple musical instrument exists in almost every culture in the world. It could have come in the third century B.C. In China, even though it is uncertain. In modern times it was used on the recordings of Beatles, The Who, Red Hot Chili Peppers and other popular rock bands, as well as in film soundtracks, such as the "Fistful of Dollars". Even after several millennia, this simple tool remains popular around the world.

The oral harp consists of a flexible tongue, usually made of metal or bamboo, held in a frame. The frame is firmly held between the teeth, while the player interferes with a flexible tongue to create a sound that is then reinforced by mouth and jaws. Movement of the mouth and tongue can change the pitch to create a melody. Although the mouth of the harp is simple in the design and use, much practice is necessary to master full potential. Amateurs often produce abundant quantities withLin while learning to play, which leads to some of the instrument as "harp juice".

Harp's mouth has gone through numerous names throughout history. In many cases, a different name has been assigned with each cultural tradition. Among the most common names are the harp of Jewish harp or harp Jews, Ozark Harf or jaw.

The term "Jewish harp" has recently become kind, because some feel that it is derogatory. However, no one is sure how this instrument received this name in the first place, although it is possible that Jewish merchants in the Middle Ages brought the mouth of the harp to Europe. Other theories suggest that the name is corruption of other common names for instrument, such as the French Jeu-Trompe, which means a "toy Trumpet". Some suggested that the term "Jew" with Harp "is derived from" Harp's jaw ", but the term" jaw of harp "entered use only from the end of the 17th or early 18th century and the term" Jewish HArfa 'is much older.

In the course of history, the oral harp was built of different materials and constructed in different shapes. Today it is most often made of metal with a frame in the shape of a key. The key shape resembles ancient harp and lends another theory of origin of the term "the mouth of the harp" or "jaws of the harp". Thanks to its role firmly established in popular and traditional music around the world, Harp's mouth will undoubtedly be a popular instrument in the coming years.