Jaw harp, basic technique

[germanhero5555555]

Wow dos not work wtf

[JonnyMcBoingBoing]

@germanhero5555555 Not sure what you mean, what does not work?

[erikleiken]

FINALLY!!! IT MAKES SENSE AFTER YEARS OF TRYING!!! THANKS!!!

[regiscoo7]

i dident work it just hurt my teeth

[JonnyMcBoingBoing]

@regiscoo7 Take it easy, use a mirror to check position of teeth and keep trying!

[MegaRandompeoplez]

it does NOT MAKE THAT SOUND!!!!!!!! I'VE TRIED OVER 10 TIMES AND IT DOESN'T WORK~!!!

[JonnyMcBoingBoing]

@MegaRandompeoplez You will also need a quality harp as many of those sold in shops just will not work however well you play.

[Chromefly]

Can you tune a jews harp?



[JonnyMcBoingBoing]

@Chromefly Depending on style yes, I'll post a movie about that soon...

[SalvationOnAStick]

Thanks for the great video. I bought a Toyland jaw harp for $10AU from ebay. I can't get it to make any sound though. I have tried all of the techniques I've seen on youtube. My harp looks different from the one you're using. Do you think that my cheap harp is no good, or do I just need to keep practicing and experimenting? It seems fairly solid.

[JonnyMcBoingBoing]

@SalvationOnAStick You will also need a quality harp as many of those sold in shops just will not work however well you play. I sell goods ones at my e-store, find the link on channel home page.

[floppycheese96]

AARG!!! mine won't work, my jaw harp looks different to the one in the video, its abit broader and the frame isn't as wide, will this affect whether or not it works?

[JonnyMcBoingBoing]

@floppycheese96 Many are having this problem - You will need a quality harp as many of those sold in shops just will not work however well you play. Check out my e-store.

[SmithScapegoat]

haha there is a didjeridoo club and jaw harp club at my school, and Im in both :)

[DystopiaUK]

Can you tell me a website in the UK which has good quality ones like this one you are playing please?

[JonnyMcBoingBoing]

@DystopiaUK yes my sites - pls see my channel for details or see sound for health dot com

[JonnyMcBoingBoing]

@DystopiaUK There are very few outlets - I'm happily one of the few! Check my e-store via the link on my Channel homepage. soundforhealth dotty com.

[loon2u4fun]

Thanks for the basics. I have been getting in to old time music and wanted to add a jaw harp as a percussion instrument on a few fun tracks. I think it adds a light hearted, happy sound when used properly.

[wadeslackerson]

GAHHH i have braces. does this affect the way i play it

[JonnyMcBoingBoing]

@wadeslackerson if you have braces better to play Dan Moi as they do not touch the teeth - see my other videos and my ebay shop...

[JeevesReturns]

Thanks for the intro! My father gave me one when I was a kid and never imagined what a cool instrument it could be. Gotta run out and buy one now. Thanks again!

[craigwg]

Great intro video for me. My favorite part was when you said, "It should feel comfortable." Yes, it looks comfortable. I'm holding raw metal against my teeth and pursing my lips as if to kiss a walrus. Yep. Super comfortable!

[joshtheidiotman2]

Wasted a damn 3.00$ on this..

[enfiluris]

this is the best >> how to play jaw harp<< video on youtube !

thnX alot, it really helped :) .

[gabrieldec]

What is the name of that instrument?

[eclips156]

I don't get why I can't do it right xD

I did what you said but it won't work :(

the model of my jew harp is a bit diferent, its round on the end where you hold it.

and its also a bit heavyer. =s

[mantorok09]

@eclips156 When i started out, I found that breathing while playing helped. Just stroke the tang softly and at a slow consistent tempo and on each strike alternate inhaling and exhaling. But make sure they're soft very airy breathes like you're singing very quietly without actually making notes. At first you probably will get a twangy vibrating sound, like when you breathe in through a harmonica, but just work at controlling your breath, making it softer and softer until you get the right sound

[hifromhannah]

I can't do it ;(

[Bluntphilly]

BTW forgot to add...

Love the tutorials and you are a very talented geezer.

Thanks for inspiring us

[Bluntphilly]

Do you always strike the tang on the back-stroke? ie. towards yourself?

I have been messing about with a harp for many years after my Dad showed me how to get a sound out of it, but I strike (stroke) the tang in both directions.

I find it easier to catch it on the forward stroke and alot more difficult to hit backstroke only.

[JonnyMcBoingBoing]

@Bluntphilly Hi, the majority of Western style metal harps should be pulled in. If the tang has been heat tempered they can go both ways. they will give best sounds that way and not break.

[danjones2008]

hi. very good! Let me ask you, what is the mark of the harp that you play?

which harp you recommend for a beginner? with a good cost / benefit. thanks!

[JonnyMcBoingBoing]

@danjones2008 I mention in the video that this one is made by Z Szilagyi. Any of the harps from my store are OK for beginners:

sound for health dot com.

[danjones2008]

@JonnyMcBoingBoing Thanks!!

[grimmthezombie]

me 2



[jarossamdb7]

just cracked a tooth

[JonnyMcBoingBoing]

@jarossamdb7 Careful there! Technique is important.

[wiseoldoak]

thanks for making the video, really helpful and appreciated

[joshuaWEC]

I am another victim of the cheep, shitty jaw harps from Cracker Barrel. I think they're on a mission to make sure no one plays a working jaw harp again, very sinister.

[JonnyMcBoingBoing]

@joshuaWEC Ha yes many have been put off by bad quality but let us keep the true heart of the instrument alive!

[GinPaladin]

Lol mine's from cracker barreal too =]. Can't get it to work =[

[JonnyMcBoingBoing]

@GinPaladin Come by and purchase a real instrument...

[havik82]

Dang.. I got mine from Cracker Barrel too... :(

I am going with the others down below and saying maybe this thing is a piece of shit.

[JonnyMcBoingBoing]

@havik82 Step by sound for health dot com and see our real instruments.

[Chissl]

You are very through but I still dont' get it. I'm thinking my teeth are broken :) :) :)

[kelschatz]

CRACKER BARREL IS BULLSHIT!!!! Got mine there too!! How is possible we are all doing it incorrect????? Is that possible..or is their product CRAP?? I'm going NUTS tryin to figure this out!!!

[mynameisthemaster1]

@kelschatz lol i got mine from a gift shop in virgina williamsburg

[JonnyMcBoingBoing]

@kelschatz It makes a huge difference. Inferior jaw harps have large gaps between the reed and the frame and even really good playing technique cannot make them produce much sound. Get a quality instrument and you will find it so much easier...

[myrcROCKS12]

mine doesnt make any sound. i guess one from cracker barrel probably isnt the best

[OvSanguineEyes]

This is fantastic! I can play now!

[TheMichaelseymour]

i just use the spam widget.

[metalmoosegirl]

I CANNOT PLAY!!!

[DSilvergun]

Where are the follow up instruction videos?

[JonnyMcBoingBoing]

@DSilvergun Live had me pretty busy last year. Watch out for more very soon!

[TheJphoenix69]

should i get a mouth guard so it dosent break my teeth???

[JonnyMcBoingBoing]

@TheJphoenix69 Careful technique is better than needing to use a guard.

[nevershoutleahh]

i don't understand at all. mine doesn't make that high pitch "doing" it just kinda vibrates. i have no idea what i'm doing wrong. PLEASE help:(

[mecedude]

@nevershoutleahh Hi:) if you bought a cheap one it might be one of those fakes, they just have that fake sound, or you can have a different tuned one, c,g etc if you buy one you SHOULD buy at a smith, i dont know where your from but here in norway we have several smiths. btw srry for reviving an old thread:)

[myrcROCKS12]

@mecedude thanks a lot!

[JonnyMcBoingBoing]

@mecedude Amen to that.

[JonnyMcBoingBoing]

@nevershoutleahh Please see my post about quality instruments...

[M0A]

I've been trying now for an hour! I'm going insane!

[kelschatz]

@M0A ME TOO!! I literally LOL when I read your comment!!! Mines from Cracker Barrel..is yours from there too?? I think I may have to get a REAL one!!

[Hurmeinen]

Why I can't bite my Jew harp? It fits perfectly to my mouth that way and feel more "secure" that way. Do it harm my teeth or something like that, or is this just your personal opinion of "right playing"?

[JonnyMcBoingBoing]

@Hurmeinen 'biting' the frame will make the frame compress and allow the vibrating tang to hit it so best avoided.

[Hurmeinen]

@JonnyMcBoingBoing Ok, thank you for your answer :).

[LordOfRage]

I just got one mouth harp on ebay. Can't wait to get it and start playing :). Nice tuto by the way.

[BlastBeatDolly]

Thanks! It's a great tutorial!!!!

[scaleofthought]

:) I like this!

Thanks :)

[Pieishman]

nice Jonny