Jew's harp explained

Jew's harp
Image Capt:A novelty Jew’s harp sold in the U.S.
Names:Jew's harp, jaw harp, mouth harp, Ozark harp, juice harp, murchunga, guimbarde, mungiga, vargan, trompe
Classification:
Hornbostel Sachs:121.22
Hornbostel Sachs Desc:Heteroglot guimbarde (the lamella is attached to the frame)
Related:

The Jew's harp, also known as jaw harp, juice harp, or mouth harp, is a lamellophone instrument, consisting of a flexible metal or bamboo tongue or reed attached to a frame. Despite the colloquial name, the Jew's harp most likely originated in Siberia, specifically in or around the Altai Mountains, and is of Turkic origin. It has no relation to the Jewish people.[1]

Jew's harps may be categorized as idioglot or heteroglot (whether or not the frame and the tine are one piece); by the shape of the frame (rod or plaque); by the number of tines, and whether the tines are plucked, joint-tapped, or string-pulled.

Characteristics

The frame is held firmly against the performer's parted teeth or lips (depending on the type), using the mouth (plus the throat and lungs when breathing freely) as a resonator, greatly increasing the volume of the instrument. The teeth must be parted sufficiently for the reed to vibrate freely, and the fleshy parts of the mouth should not come into contact with the reed to prevent damping of the vibrations and possible pain. The note or tone thus produced is constant in pitch, though by changing the shape of the mouth, and the amount of air contained in it (and in some traditions closing the glottis), the performer can cause different overtones to sound and thus create melodies.

According to the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, "The vibrations of the steel tongue produce a compound sound composed of a fundamental and its harmonics. By using the cavity of the mouth as a resonator, each harmonic in succession can be isolated and reinforced, giving the instrument the compass shown.""The lower harmonics of the series cannot be obtained, owing to the limited capacity of the resonating cavity. The black notes on the stave show the scale which may be produced by using two harps, one tuned a fourth above the other. The player on the Jew's harp, in order to isolate the harmonics, frames his mouth as though intending to pronounce the various vowels." See: bugle scale.

History

In 2018, over 20 Jaw harps were discovered in Shaanxi, China, dating back about 4000 years ago.[2] The earliest depiction of somebody playing what seems to be a Jew's harp is a Chinese drawing from the 3rd century BCE.[3] Archaeological finds of surviving examples in Europe have been claimed to be almost as old, but those dates have been challenged both on the grounds of excavation techniques, and the lack of contemporary writing or pictures mentioning the instrument.

Etymology

There are many theories for the origin of the name jew's harp. The apparent reference to Jewish people is especially misleading since it "has nothing to do with the Jewish people; neither does it look like a harp in its structure and appearance".[4] In Sicilian it is translated as or ; both of which are derogatory terms for Jewish people also found in Italian[5] and Spanish.[6] In German, it is known as, which roughly translates as 'mouth drum'.[4] The name "Jew's Harp" first appears in 1481 in a customs account book under the name "Jue harpes".[7] The "jaw" variant is attested at least as early as 1774[8] and 1809,[9] the "juice" variant appearing only in the late 19th and 20th centuries.

It has also been suggested that the name derives from the French meaning 'toy trumpet'.[10] The current French word for the instrument is . Wedgwood, an English etymologist, wrote in 1855 that the derivation from opposes the French idiom, where "if two substantives are joined together, the qualifying noun is invariably the last".[11] He refers to the derivation, but not to the derivation.

Both theories—that the name is a corruption of jaws or —are described by the Oxford English Dictionary as "lacking any supporting evidence."[12] The OED says that, "more or less satisfactory reasons may be conjectured: e.g. that the instrument was actually made, sold, or imported to England by Jewish people, or purported to be so; or that it was attributed to Jewish people, suggesting the trumps and harps mentioned in the Bible, and hence considered a good commercial name."[13] Although the OED states that "the association of the instrument with Jewish people occurs, so far as is known, only in English",[12] the term Danish: jødeharpe is also used in Danish.[14]

Manufacture

Manufacture of Indian morchang

Indian morchangs are made in many metals but mainly in brass, iron, copper and silver. Different types of construction art are used for the construction of Morchang in each metal.

Brass

Brass murchangs are manufactured[15] from ancient Indian manufacturing style brass metal casting. Brass molding is a process of shaping brass, into desired shapes using a mold. The brass is heated to a molten state and then poured or forced into the mold, where it cools and solidifies into the desired shape. Brass molding is often used to create intricate or complex shapes.

Use

Cambodian music

The angkuoch (Khmer:) is a Cambodian Jew's harp.[16] It is a folk instrument made of bamboo and carved into a long, flat shape with a hole in the center and the tongue across the hole.[17] There is also a metal variety, more round or tree-leaf shaped.[17] It may also have metal bells attached.[17] The instrument is both a wind instrument and percussion instrument.[16] [17] As a wind instrument, it is placed against the mouth, which acts as a resonator and tool to alter the sound.[17] Although mainly a folk instrument, better-made examples exist.[17] While the instrument was thought to be the invention of children herding cattle, it is sometimes used in public performance, to accompany the Mahori music in public dancing.[17]

Indian music

The instrument is used as part of the rhythm section in various styles of Indian folk and classical music. Most notably the Morsing in the Carnatic music of South India,[18] or the Morchang in the lok geet (folk music) of Rajasthan.

Russian music

In Russia, the instrument has its own brand called vargan.[19] A Jew's harp was excavated in a 9th-century burial mound in Idelbayev, Bashkortostan.[20]

Nepali tradition

Murchunga

In Nepal, one type of Jew's harp is named the (Nepali:).[21] It is very similar to an Indian morsing or morchang in that the tongue (or twanger) extends beyond the frame, thus giving the instrument more sustain.[22]

Binayo

The (Nepali) is a bamboo Jew's harp, in the Kiranti musical tradition from Malingo. It is popular in the Eastern Himalayan region of Nepal, Sikkim, Darjeeling, and Bhutan. It is a wind instrument played by blowing the air without tuning the node with fingers. The is six inches long and one inch in width.[23]

Turkic traditional music

See also: Music in the Tuva Republic, Music in the Sakha Republic and Wooden jaw harp.

Kyrgyz music

The temir komuz is made of iron, usually with a length of 100–200 mm and with a width of approximately 2–7 mm. The range of the instrument varies with the size of the instrument but generally hovers around an octave span. The Kyrgyz people are exceptionally proficient on the instrument and it is quite popular among children, although some adults continue to play the instrument. Temir komuz pieces were notated by Aleksandr Zataevich in two or three parts. An octave drone is possible, or even an ostinato alternating the fifth step of a scale with an octave.[24]

Turkish music

In Turkish, the Jew's harp is called as ağız kopuzu.[25] [26] The Jew's harp traditionally used in Turkish folk songs from Anatolia has fallen out of use with time.[27] [28] Modern renditions of Turkish folk songs with the Jew's harp have been done by artists such as Senem Diyici in the song 'Dolama Dolamayı' and Ravan Yuzkhan.

Sindhi music

In Sindhi music, the Jew's harp is called . In Sindhi music, it can be an accompaniment or the main instrument. One of the most famous players is Amir Bux Ruunjho.[29]

Sicilian music

In Sicily, the Jew's harp is commonly known as marranzanu, but other names include angalarruni, calarruni, gangalarruni, ganghilarruni, mariolu, mariolu di fera, marranzana, and ngannalarruni.[30] [31]

Austrian Jew's harp playing

Austrian Jew's harp music uses typical Western harmony. The UNESCO has included Austrian Jew's harp playing in its Intangible Cultural Heritage list.[32]

In Austria, the instrument is known as (the literal translation is 'mouth drum').

Western classical music

Early representations of Jew's harps have appeared in Western churches since the fourteenth century.[33]

The Austrian composer Johann Albrechtsberger—chiefly known today as a teacher of Beethoven—wrote seven concerti for Jew's harp, mandora, and orchestra between 1769 and 1771. Four of them have survived, in the keys of F major, E-flat major, E major, and D major.[34] [35] They are based on the special use of the Jew's harp in Austrian folk music.

Well known performer Franz Koch (1761–1831), discovered by Frederick the Great, could play two Jew's harps at once, while the also well known performer Karl Eulenstein (1802–1890) "invented a system of playing four at once, connecting them by silken strings in such a way that he could clasp all four with the lips, and strike all the four springs at the same time".[36]

The American composer Charles Ives wrote a part for Jew's harp in the Washington's Birthday movement of .[37]

Western music

The Jew's harp has been used occasionally in rock and country music. For example:

See also

References

General and cited references

External links

Notes and References

  1. Brigit. Katz. 23 January 2018. This Recently Discovered 1,700-Year-Old Mouth Harp Can Still Hold a Tune. Smithsonian Magazine. 18 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230705021024/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-found-1700-year-old-mouth-harp-180967832/. 5 July 2023. live. en-US.
  2. Web site: Ancient musical instruments unearthed in NW China . Xinhua . 2018-05-21 .
  3. Web site: Larmer. Brook. Mysterious carvings and evidence of human sacrifice uncovered in ancient city. 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200807020340/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/2020/08/mysterious-carvings-evidence-human-sacrifice-uncovered-ancient-city-china/. dead. August 7, 2020. National Geographic.
  4. Web site: Jew's harp origin history | Glazyrin's jew's harps. Jews-harps.com. 18 April 2019.
  5. Web site: Etimologia : Marrano. Etimo.it.
  6. Web site: LÉXICO - ETIMOLOGIAS - ORIGEN DE LAS PALABRAS - MARRANO. Elalmanaque.com.
  7. Book: WRIGHT, MICHAEL . JEWS-HARP IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND. . 2020 . ROUTLEDGE . 978-0-367-59749-8 . [S.l.] . 1156990682.
  8. Miscellaneous and Fugitive pieces, vol. 3, Johnson et al. 1774
  9. Pegge's Anonymiana, 1818, p. 33
  10. Book: Timbs, John . Things Not Generally Known: Popular Errors Explained & Illustrated . 1858 . 61.
  11. Wedgwood. Hensleigh. Hensleigh Wedgwood. On False Etymologies. Transactions of the Philological Society. 1855. 6. 63.
  12. Web site: Université Laval - Déconnexion. Oed-com.acces.bibl.ulaval.ca.
  13. Encyclopedia: 1989. Jews' trump, Jew's-trump. Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford University Press.
  14. Web site: jødeharpe — Den Danske Ordbog. Ordnet.dk.
  15. Web site: . Ancient building style of jews harp morchang morsing best jews harp best morchang . en . 2023-01-27.
  16. Web site: Cambodian Bamboo Jew's Harps. https://web.archive.org/web/19990908054109/http://www.mouthmusic.com/trumps.htm. dead. September 8, 1999. Poss. M.D.. Mouthmusic.com. 27 October 2018. ... these bamboo Jew's harps are easy to hold and may be longer lasting due to being made of thicker material than many other similar instruments. Held against the lips, they are easy to play and offer the same full, percussive sound as the "Kubings.".
  17. Book: Khean. Yun . Dorivan. Keo. Lina . Y. Lenna. Mao. Traditional Musical Instruments of Cambodia. Kingdom of Cambodia. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. 146–147 .
  18. (1999). South Asia : The Indian Subcontinent. Garland Encyclopedia of World Music, Volume 5. Publisher: Routledge; Har/Com. .
  19. Book: Abrashev, B. . Radevsky . A. . Gadjev . V. . The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Musical Instruments: From All Eras and Regions of the World . Könemann . 2000 . 978-3-8290-6079-0 . 136.
  20. https://musark.no/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Thesis-intro.pdf Jew's Harps in European Archaeology
  21. Web site: Nepali Folk Musical Instrument Museum . Kathmandu . Photo Gallery .
  22. Book: Nikolova . Ivanka . Davey . Laura . Dean . Geoffrey . The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Musical Instruments . Könemann Verlagsgesellschaft mbH. Cologne . 2000 . 94–101 .
  23. Web site: Folk musical Instruments Of Nepal . Schoolgk.com . April 27, 2016.
  24. Book: Slobin, Mark . Kirgiz Instrumental Music . February 23, 2014 . 1969 . Theodore Front Music . 978-0-614-16459-6 . 20.
  25. Web site: Hopeful Sound of the Wind: Mouth Harp . 2022-05-19 . En.turktoyu.com. en.
  26. Ayci̇l . Serkan . Çubukcu . Gökçin . 2022-03-30 . TÜRK MÛSİKÎ ÇALGILARININ VE ROMAN KÜLTÜRÜNDEKİ ÇALGI GELENEĞİNİN POSTA PULLARI ÜZERİNDEN DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ . Sanat Dergisi . tr . 39 . 44–57 . 1302-2938.
  27. Book: Apel, Willi . The Harvard Dictionary of Music: Fourth Edition . 2003-11-28 . Harvard University Press . 978-0-674-01163-2 . en.
  28. Web site: Ağız Kopuzu Sanatı . 2022-05-19 . Aksaray.ktb.gov.tr.
  29. sindhi alghozo. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211111/Kki4J7gX2O8. 2021-11-11 . live. 9 July 2009. YouTube. 20 June 2015.
  30. Web site: Sicilian Vocabulary . Dieli . Art . May 29, 2011 . Dieli.net . December 26, 2021.
  31. Web site: Sicilian Item of the day:Marranzano. Siciliamo (blog). 2007-08-10. 2008-02-20 .
  32. https://web.archive.org/web/20151003223728/http://immaterielleskulturerbe.unesco.at/cgi-bin/unesco/element.pl?eid=84&lang=en Intangible Cultural Heritage in Austria: Jew's Harp Playing in Austria
  33. Web site: For example, there is a carving of a centaur playing a jaw harp in the Basel Münster. Musiconis Database. Université Paris-Sorbonne. Musiconis.huma-num.fr. January 5, 2018.
  34. https://www.amazon.com/Albrechtsberger-Concerto-Jews-Johann-Georg/dp/B000005975 Albrechtsberger: Concerto for Jew's Harp
  35. http://www.fondationlaborie.com/images/stories/notesdeprogramme/lc08_en.pdf
  36. Burnley, James (1886). The Romance of Invention: Vignettes from the Annals of Industry and Science, p.335. Cassell. .
  37. Book: Fox . Leonard . The Jew's Harp: A Comprehensive Anthology . 1988 . Associated University Presses, Inc. . 33 . 12 May 2015 . 9780838751169.
  38. Book: Graves, Tom. Tom Graves (writer). Louise Brooks, Frank Zappa, & Other Charmers & Dreamers. 1 November 2018. 30 April 2015. BookBaby. 978-1-942531-07-4. 155.
  39. Book: Winters, Rebecca Davis. Blind Owl Blues. 1 November 2018. 2007. Blind Owl Blues. 978-0-615-14617-1. 159.
  40. Wells, David (2009). "Black Sabbath (1970)". Black Sabbath (CD Booklet). Black Sabbath. Sanctuary Records Group.

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