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Jew's harp
01
a small musical instrument consisting of a flexible metal or bamboo tongue attached to a frame, which is placed in the performer's mouth and plucked to produce a twanging sound
What is a "Jew's harp"?
A Jew's harp is a small, handheld instrument made of metal or bamboo with a flexible reed attached to a frame. To play it, the musician holds the frame against their teeth or lips and plucks the reed with their finger. This action causes the reed to vibrate and produce a unique, twangy sound. The pitch and tone can be modified by changing the shape of the mouth and the airflow. The Jew's harp is used in various musical traditions around the world and is known for its distinctive, resonant sound.
Examples
The musician entertained the crowd with lively tunes played on the Jew's harp.
The Jew's harp's unique twanging sound added an enchanting quality to the folk music performance at the festival.
