By eHow Arts & Entertainment Editor
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The trick to playing a jaw harp - also known as a Jew's harp, mouth harp, trump, kubing, drymba, varhan and gewgaw - is control. This ancient, international folk instrument relies on the player's hands, breathing and the shape of the mouth to make that fun, boinging sound. There are many ways to hold a jaw harp. This is the recommended way for beginners to get a feel for the instrument.
Comments
Anonymous said
on 3/6/2006 If you have a Snoopy harp, you should know that they are very difficult to play. They are too large and stiff and they don't make a good sound. Also, there are stories of people accidentally chipping teeth with an errant lamella from one of these monsters. Get a real trump. Generally, the ones tuned to a specific note are better quality.
Anonymous said
on 1/15/2008 Don't bite the frame of the harp at all. On a well-tuned harp, this will cause the lamella to hit the frame with an annoying rattle. Instead, the harp frame is held firmly against your slightly parted front teeth. This is the method recommend by the top players such as Hallgrim Berg and Erik Roine.