Mouth harp, Ozark harp, Jew’s harp, trump, juice harp. All names for the jaw harp, which falls into the category of plucked idiophones. It’s considered to be one of the oldest instruments in the world, depicted in a Chinese drawing dating back to 4 BC. And despite its name, it has no connection to Jews or Judaism. So why the name? Some say it derived from the word ‘jaw,’ others from a French term: ‘jeu-trompe’ (toy trumpet), and still others claim it was the Jews who first sold these mouth harps in England. For whatever the reason, the jaw harp is played all over the world, like the Austrian jaw harp featured here:
Listen Up! “J” is for Jaw Harp
Published by Martha Reynolds
I am the bestselling author of nine novels, including the Swiss Chocolate trilogy and VILLA DEL SOL, which won the 2018 Book Award in Literary Fiction from the Independent Publishers of New England. My newest series includes the books A JINGLE VALLEY WEDDING, APRIL IN GALWAY, and ALL’S WELL IN JINGLE VALLEY. Find my books online at Amazon, locally at Stillwater Books (Pawtucket, Rhode Island) and Ink Fish Books (Warren, Rhode Island). View all posts by Martha Reynolds
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Never heard of it! Learned something new. Thx.
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Thank you for stopping by, Sandra!
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My kids had one of those years ago – I never knew it could be so catchy. I might have to buy my grandsons one each now!
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Thanks, Liz!
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I used to try and play this growing up. Notice the “used to!” LOL Lisa, co-host AtoZ 2015, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com
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Ha! Did it make your mouth numb?
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Loving all the different themes people choose. didn’t know what a Jew or Jaw harp was so glad I came by. anne stenhouse, Novels Now.
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Hey Anne, thank you. I hope you enjoy the rest of these posts
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There are definitely more melodious instruments!
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That is a unique theme you have. By the way I had never heard of a jaw harp!
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So you learned something today!
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HAHAHAHA! I think it would numb my mouth!
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That is a trip!!!!!
I like it. I can hear it as a prelude to some crazy things about to happen in a movie trailer.
Bushman
2015 A to Z Challenge Ambassador
@jwb81074
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Oooo. I think that would really get on my nerves.
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