Although the mouth harp is frequently associated with bluegrass music, it has a much longer history. Almost every culture has its own version of this simple musical instrument. It is possible that it originated in China in the third century B.C., but this is uncertain. It’s been heard on recordings by The Beatles, The Who, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and other popular rock bands in recent years, as well as in movie soundtracks like “A Fistful of Dollars.” This simple instrument has remained popular throughout the world for millennia.
A flexible tongue, usually made of metal or bamboo, is held within a frame on the mouth harp. The player strums the flexible tongue to produce a sound that is then amplified by the mouth and jaw bones while holding the frame firmly between the teeth. A melody can be created by changing the pitches with the mouth and tongue. Although the mouth harp is simple to make and play, it takes a lot of practice to master its full potential. While learning to play, novices frequently produce copious amounts of saliva, prompting some to refer to the instrument as a “juice harp.”
Throughout history, the mouth harp has been known by a variety of names. Each cultural tradition was given a different name in many cases. The most common names for this instrument are Jew’s harp, Jews’ harp, Ozark harp, and jaw harp.
Because some people believe it is derogatory, the term “Jew’s harp” has fallen out of favor in recent years. However, no one knows how the instrument got its name in the first place, though it’s possible that Jewish merchants brought the mouth harp to Europe during the Middle Ages. Other theories claim that the name is a misspelling of other common names for the instrument, such as jeu-trompe, which means “toy trumpet” in French. Some have claimed that “Jew’s harp” is derived from “jaw harp,” but “jaw harp” has only been in use since the late 1700s or early 1800s, whereas “Jew’s harp” is much older.
The mouth harp has been made out of a variety of materials and in a variety of shapes throughout history. It’s most commonly made of metal and has a key-shaped frame nowadays. The shape of the key is similar to that of ancient harps, which lends credence to another theory about the origin of the terms “mouth harp” and “jaw harp.” With its place in popular and traditional music all over the world, the mouth harp will undoubtedly remain a popular instrument for many years to come.