Re: Join Together --> Who's Next

[Lev Polinsky <polinsky@husc.harvard.edu>]

On Mon, 20 Nov 1995, Ken Tanguay wrote:
> Greetings Who-sters:
> 
> There seemed top be some confusion regarding my reference 
> to the jaw harp in Join Together:
> 
> Lev Polinsky said: What's a jaw harp.

I was joking.  I thought everyone knew it was called a Jew's harp.
> 
> Jim Jackson said: Isn't it called a "jew's harp".
> 
> Having been an acoustic guitarist for 30+ years (I consider Pete
> one of my guitar role models (note: guitar - not lifestyle)), I'm
> well acquainted with the jaw harp and harmonica.  Some do call it
> a jew's harp, but the actual name is a jaw harp.  The jaw harp is
> a rather horse shoe - shaped piece of metal with a spring-steel
> piece running through the middle.  They vary in size (bigger ones
> give a deeper tone) from about 2 1/2 to 3 /[11/2 inches long/wide.
> 
> The jaw harp is played by resting the open horse shoe ends on 
> the upper and lower teeth with the teeth slightly open.  By
> plucking on the spring steel thing and moving one's toungue
> around in the mouth, an amazing variety of twangy sounds can
> be made.  It's mainly used in bluegrass/hillbilly jug band music.
> 
> It's not hard to learn how to play a jaw harp.  You'll hit your
> teeth with the spring steel a few times at first (and it hurts).
> But, you'll be playing Join Together in no time at all.  And,
> the jaw harp is as portable as the harmonica.  Stop by any music
> store that has guitars and accessories to check one out.  They 
> only cost a couple of bucks and (best of all) you can amaze your
> friends.  Imagine playing Join Together with a hormonica-playing
> friend.
> 
> Happy twanging!!

Well, it may be called a jaw harp in musical slang, but the proper term 
for the instrument is a "Jew's harp" or "Jews' harp".  Look it up if you 
want.