Blog
The most treasured and most varied resonator for a mouth harp is the human body. If one holds the Jew's harp to the mouth, the quiet whirring gets louder and it can be varied with the help of the mouth cavity. There are some more mechanisms used as resonator. Here we share a number of well-known resonator-experiments.
One of the liveliest Jew's harp scenes in Europe is to be found in Norway. Year by year there is a continuously exchange of information regarding the Jew's harp. The "Norwegian Jew´s Harp Forum" now has just under 150 members who meet up each year in September for the Jew's harp festival.
Who are the people bringing Jew's harp playing back to life today? At festivals, music competitions and in forums, male and female folk musicians meet to learn new melodies and to pass on Jew's harp playing techniques to others. Part 3 of our series about the mouth harp in Norway.
Although the history of the Jew's harp in Norway before 1900 can only be partially reconstructed, the link between some Jew's harp melodies and legends indicate that there is an oral tradition. Two of these legends are to be told in this blog post.
After the mouth harp had been out of favour for many years, a young norwegian generation suddenly discovered their interest in the Jew's harp. Some players worked extensively on their playing technique and repertoire. The instrument gained prestige and respect. Part 1 of our series about the mouth harp in Norway.
News from the jew's harp community from across the world: On September 16th there will be held a jew's harp congress in Louisville, Kentucky (USA). Jew's harpers, researchers and fans are invited to participate with contribution.