The Jews Harp is an instrument of no rules yet an amazing amount of sounds and fun packed into an incredibly neat little package. A small lyre-shaped folk instrument of uncertain age and origin that was commonly used in Europe in the Middle Ages. The rounded part of the Jew's Harp is held between the thumb and forefinger of the left hand. The narrow part of the frame should be positioned on the teeth of the performer. A small, bent, metal tongue inside the frame is then plucked by the finger of the performer to vibrate the tongue producing tones. How to play the Jaws Harp (Jew Harp)1. Hold the rounded part of the jew harp frame between the thumb and the forefinger of your left hand, with the plucker pointed away from your lips, allowing your lips to just touch the bars on each side without touching the lamella. Hold the bars in position firmly against your front teeth. Slightly part your teeth to allow for a vibrating space for the lamella and a passageway for your breath. Rest your lips on the straight part of the frame. 2. The vibrations of the lamella produce the sound. Pluck or stroke the plucker towards yourself with the first finger of your right hand. Sounds are produced and altered by your breathing rhythm and by altering the shape of your mouth and throat with your cheeks and your tongue. Always stroke the lamella gently. Playing too hard will make your jew harp rattle. 3. While the harp's lamella is in motion, silently pronounce the vowels A-E-I-O-U. This is an easy way to start making a few cool sounds. (You can use the same mouthshaping techniques which form the different sounds of the didgeridoo). 4. If you feel the harp rattling against your teeth, try pressing the jew harp a little harder and evenly against your upper and lower teeth.5. Start softly and pluck straight. Volume comes from gentle breathing and mouth shape, not from plucking harder.
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