| The jaw harp, also commonly referred to as the jew | | | | thumb and index finger wrap around the enlarged |
| harp, jew's harp, mouth harp and ozark harp, is one | | | | part of the frame in the shape of a 'C'. For a frame |
| of the oldest instruments in the world and is a delight | | | | with flat edges, a different grip is applied. The thumb |
| to play. If you decide to get in on the fun, here are | | | | goes at the end of the enlarged part of the frame, |
| some helpful tips to get you started. | | | | with the index finger on one flat edge and the middle |
| Purchase A Jaw Harp | | | | finger on the other. Take a look at your jaw harp |
| This step is kind of obvious. After all, you can't play | | | | and decide which grip is right for you. |
| one if you do not own one! Unlike most instruments, | | | | Mouth Placement |
| the jaw harp is very affordable, usually costing | | | | Before you can play the jaw harp, you need to place |
| anywhere from five to twenty dollars. When buying | | | | it in your mouth properly. You will never learn to play |
| one, do not just buy the cheapest one you can find. | | | | it correctly if you do not even have it in your mouth |
| Read some online reviews and make sure you | | | | right, and you can even hurt yourself. Using your grip, |
| purchase one in a mid-range key, preferably the key | | | | place the harp between your teeth. Bite down firmly |
| of C. Higher and lower range jaw harps can be harder | | | | into the beveled edge. If you are not biting firm |
| to play, and should be bought only after you have | | | | enough, the jaw harp will vibrate when you play it, |
| learned to play with relative ease. | | | | which can be very painful. If you bite down too hard, |
| Getting Started | | | | the tongue will not be able to be plucked. This part |
| Okay, so you have purchased your brand new jaw | | | | will go by feel, and you will have to find a balance |
| harp. Now what? Well, the first thing is to learn the | | | | with it. |
| different parts that make up this small little | | | | Give it a Pluck |
| instrument. It mostly consists of two major parts: | | | | Give your instrument a pluck, pulling the tongue |
| the tongue and the frame. The frame is the part you | | | | towards your teeth and letting go. Be careful to |
| hold with your hand against your teeth, and the | | | | keep your own tongue away from the area. If all |
| tongue is the part you pluck with the other hand. | | | | goes well you should hear a nice twang. Now it's time |
| There are more detailed parts and descriptions, but | | | | to experiment with different sounds by shaping the |
| for now these two basic parts are all we need to | | | | inside of your mouth in different ways. |
| know. | | | | Practice! |
| The Grip | | | | Once you can get a sound out of your harp, you are |
| There are two main ways jaw harps are held, and it | | | | ready to put in some practice time! This part is hard |
| usually has to do with the shape of the frame. If the | | | | for any musical instrument, but the reward is great |
| frame is rounded, a 'C' grip is used, where your | | | | for those who work hard at it. |