Jaw Harp, Jews Harp

[Brewdude]

So I found myself on a western music kick, looking for themes and songs similar to
Go Go Cactus Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaKH9bywzgQ) and For a Few Dollars More (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4x7RchYCMc), and found that it was the jaw harp, or jew's harp that was making that sound I liked.
(Here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POACRbmaR90) is someone doing an awesome street performance using one)

So here's my problem, I've been looking everywhere, but I can't figure out how both ennio and yoko kanno were able to get multiple pitch tones out of the jaw harp for their themes, while every other performance using one I've seen is always single pitched. Did they just record a sample and adjust it in post or are there multiple pitches of harp available?

Also, recommendations of songs that use the jaw harp would be appreciated, especially ones with youtube links.

[Dancing_Zephyr]

Join Together (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ehc6GJ3R7M) by The Who
Incidentally, I always thought it was a joue harp (joue is french for cheek).

[Jimorian]

You change the pitch according to the shape of your mouth, similar to the way you can change the pitch of the popping noise you can make by slapping your cheeks or open mouth.

[Coidzor]

Wikipedia seems to believe Jew's Harp is the best name for the article on it.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jew's_harp)
The Jew's harp, jaw harp, mouth harp, or Ozark harp, trump and juice harp, is thought to be one of the oldest musical instruments in the world;[1] a musician apparently playing it can be seen in a Chinese drawing from the 4th century BC.[2] Despite its common English name, and the sometimes used Jew's trump, it has no particular connection with the Jewish people or Judaism. This instrument is native to Asia and used in all tribes of Turkish people in Asia where it is variously referred to as a temir komuz, agiz komuzu or gubuz.

[Phae Nymna]

I have one, but it's hellacious to play because the lyre shaped part doesn't fit in your hand well, and the reed was soldered on crooked too. As a result you: 1) Get the wrong sound. 2) Use too much air. 3)Hit your teeth too easily.

I love the sound of it though, and alongside the harmonica, I really want to learn to play it for my band.

[Brewdude]

You change the pitch according to the shape of your mouth, similar to the way you can change the pitch of the popping noise you can make by slapping your cheeks or open mouth.

Um, did you listen to either theme? You can't get that kind of pitch change just by mouth movement. what you are describing is how to make other changes, like attack, sustain, reverb, etc. but it's the same pitch, like what the street guy is doing.

Are there mulitple pitches of harp available so you can change instruments? or can you put your finger on part of the metal to change pitch like you can on guitar strings? Or is electronic pitch change the only way? Those are the answers I'm looking for.

[Phae Nymna]

Um, did you listen to either theme? You can't get that kind of pitch change just by mouth movement. what you are describing is how to make other changes, like attack, sustain, reverb, etc. but it's the same pitch, like what the street guy is doing.

Are there mulitple pitches of harp available so you can change instruments? or can you put your finger on part of the metal to change pitch like you can on guitar strings? Or is electronic pitch change the only way? Those are the answers I'm looking for.Actually, you can. Air speed, how hard you pluck, and the general shape of your cheeks and lips changes a lot. It's really only lips and mouth for pitch changes.

Look up a video of using one well, and it will be most apparent.

[Brewdude]

Hrm, all videos i've found on youtube that have someone actually using the instrument don't have pitch changes without having rebuilt their instrument. :( Got a link? even one would be nice, along with your search terms.

[TheThan]

So I just learned from the wiki article that the Jew’s harp is not a purely American instrument. Huh, I guess you learn something new everyday.

[Phae Nymna]

Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcGHarKr_LM)
Search Terms: "how to jew harp"

[Brewdude]

Once again, all the same pitch. in this case, E. In this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4x7RchYCMc) theme, the pitch changes as if the reed were able to be lengthened or there were multiple harps. Where could one find that?

[Jimorian]

No, you don't get it, your whole mouth is a resonating chamber that takes the basic noise from the vibrating reed and emphasizes the pitch that matches the shape of the mouth. So while the reed doesn't change its own pitch, the reflected sound has unique pitches that can be controlled just fine.

Really, that's all there is to it.

Edit: while this isn't a white noise generator like say an e-bow for guitar, there are many many harmonics from that "single" note that when emphasized produce whole different notes. How the reed is struck can also have an effect on which harmonics are present more than others.

[Phae Nymna]

IIRC, there are most definitely different pitches made with the same instrument in that one video.

[RedDeerJebediah]

A single jew's harp can only produce one pitch, with different combinations of overtones, which some might (incorrectly) percieve as a change in pitch. The overtones are what you control with your mouth shape; to change the actual pitch you have to buy a different harp for each pitch.

[magellan]

I heard a lot of players have 2 hands. ;)