@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
Yes i did enjoy that and i will be back for more. Iv always loved the sound of a jews harp, from a very young boy watching cowboy films with my dad. I have brought 3 or 4 jews harps over the years, never got a tune out of them. Until now, now i can get a tune, thanks for this vedeo johnny. And thank the lord for youtube.
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!
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.
Ahh man that was save, the perfect intorduction. Lovely infomraiton at the start then you razzle it off with quality tune at the end. Quite right with the £4 as well, shall crack on with the next video now. Very nice
Really well said really about to look up any subsequent videos. Thank you - sittin in Seattle with kid on lap, next to 7 year old with my old Snoopy's Harp jaw jarp hangin out of his mouth :). Good day
Get that 12 year old a real jaw harp, those snoopy harps won't ring out like a tuned harp. It doesnt have to be expensive, something like an Austrian Ozark is decent and way under twenty bucks.
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!
Quality matter alot. Many of the harps sold in music stores will just not work so well. Make sure the blade / tang is close to the frame for better sound.
I had one of these! :D I used to play it all the time until I lost it ;( but another thing you can do to make a much deeper sound is open up your throat and breath slowly. It make for an awesome deep bass boing.
@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...
@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.
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.
Does the quality of the harp affect the range of the instrument? I can hear tongue movement on my harp (Which i bought at a music store at a low price) but it doesn't resonate as much as other ones that i've heard and it doesn't have much of a range of notes so it can't really play the higher pitches that i've heard.
Hey jonny, do u need straight teeth to play this or is crooked teeth ok to play this harp? Cuz my teeth r not straight nd was wondering if tht will effect it.
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.
Well then why do they make them? What a freaking rip off. That’s simply disgusting. Jaw harps are so disgusting and I hate them. What a gimmicky piece of garbage which is truly worth NOTHING😡
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!
can you please explain the tongue part? i have everything else down, i just cant get that sound from when you move the tongue. is it because my harp is low quality?
Very cool. I haven't messed with one of these in years, but I'll see if I can get this down well enough to show my 8 year old who is very interested. I never knew about it actually touching the teeth. I always thought it was all lips. I'll give it a go though.
@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.
Hi. I'm back. It's the "Snoopy", $3 (yeah, I know). BUT... apparantly I picked up something from the video because I can play it now. I have to really press it firmly against my teeth, this was some of the problem, making good progress now. Probably will upgrade to a better one soon. I agree, they should all come with the words "Don't Give Up" engraved on the side or something...
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?
I'm feel like I'm hyperventilating/getting light- headed when I breath in/out to create rhythm. Can you help me? I play trumpet & sing, so I know about breath support, but I'm not doing something right.
Then it is probably the harp itself. You may need a better quality one. If there is a large gap between blade and harp frame then you get little sound.
Hey, I bought one today for £1.25 (reduced from £4), but I can only get it to make a really low hum, nowhere near as high as it sounds here. Am I just doing it wrong or is the harp crap?
Hello! I recently bought the Snoopy jaw harp. I have watched a lot of videos on technique and how to use this instrument, but I am not getting that great twanging noise! Is there something that is wrong? Does having braces affect the sound?
Hi, braces make it more tricky but real problem will be the instrument. Those harps are just not good enough and I suggest yu try something better quality then follow some of my playing tips. You coould try the ones on my e-store, just follow channel page links...
You probably covered this so I apologize. I am only getting a vibration or a low toned vibration. I don't get a "boing" or something like that. The link below is the one I bought. www.amazon.com/Trophy-Music-Snoopy-Jaw-Harp/dp/B00502EE78/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1389142886&sr=8-2&keywords=snoopy+jaw+harp
@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.
I cannot play this thing. I have tried for hours, but I cannot play this thing. I own and can play numerous harmonicas, didgidiroos, flutes, ocarinas, etc. but I cannot play this thing. Even after watching your most informative video, I cannot play this thing. I'm giving it one more week and then I'm pitching it.
@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.
Hi Johnny, great playing! Just thought I'd post a video response with a trailer for a documentary film I made about the Chinese Yi minority people's mouth harp (brass and bamboo, 1-5 fanned). Contact me if you're interested in talking more!
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
Often the gaps between the frame and the tongue are too big, suggest you find yourself a better one. If you follow the links you will find my e-store. Best, J
Imagine the guy who invented this thing: "Right, I am going to make a small instrument which can play only one note. To operate it you have to bite on a small metal rod with a needle sticking out of it while waving your hand in front of your face... anyone interested?"
i found it easier to make sound my biting it instead of putting it against your teeth when i put it against them it hardly makes any sound when i bite it it makes way better sound.
I dont get it I followed everytging to the tee and I barley can hear a noise:l no bonnng either Im not sure exaxtly what to do people say close ur throat and idk HELLP
Wow. That was the most simple straightforward instruction and explanation of how to use one of these. Excellent.
Best video yet. Straightforward. Thanks!
@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
Yes i did enjoy that and i will be back for more.
Iv always loved the sound of a jews harp, from a very young boy watching cowboy films with my dad.
I have brought 3 or 4 jews harps over the years, never got a tune out of them.
Until now, now i can get a tune, thanks for this vedeo johnny.
And thank the lord for youtube.
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!
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.
Best tutorial so far! Thank you!!!
Hola Jonny,gracias por el tutorial me ha ayudado.como puedo conseguir tu disco. radico en México D.F. SALUDOS
Ahh man that was save, the perfect intorduction. Lovely infomraiton at the start then you razzle it off with quality tune at the end. Quite right with the £4 as well, shall crack on with the next video now.
Very nice
FINALLY!!! IT MAKES SENSE AFTER YEARS OF TRYING!!! THANKS!!!
Jonny, thanks for the quick reply. I'll definitely take a look. Dave
BTW forgot to add...
Love the tutorials and you are a very talented geezer.
Thanks for inspiring us
I just got one mouth harp on ebay. Can't wait to get it and start playing :). Nice tuto by the way.
Very nice to a intro! Good job!
Really well said really about to look up any subsequent videos. Thank you - sittin in Seattle with kid on lap, next to 7 year old with my old Snoopy's Harp jaw jarp hangin out of his mouth :). Good day
Get that 12 year old a real jaw harp, those snoopy harps won't ring out like a tuned harp. It doesnt have to be expensive, something like an Austrian Ozark is decent and way under twenty bucks.
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!
@Hurmeinen 'biting' the frame will make the frame compress and allow the vibrating tang to hit it so best avoided.
Quality matter alot. Many of the harps sold in music stores will just not work so well. Make sure the blade / tang is close to the frame for better sound.
I had one of these! :D I used to play it all the time until I lost it ;( but another thing you can do to make a much deeper sound is open up your throat and breath slowly. It make for an awesome deep bass boing.
@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...
which one would be a good brand for a beginner?
I can't get rid of the sound of the metal cliping :(
@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.
@DSilvergun Live had me pretty busy last year. Watch out for more very soon!
Thanks for the demo.
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.
@fearghal10 Mine makes a lower note aswell, its just the kind that you bought that makes a lower note, his is tuned aswell
Does the quality of the harp affect the range of the instrument? I can hear tongue movement on my harp (Which i bought at a music store at a low price) but it doesn't resonate as much as other ones that i've heard and it doesn't have much of a range of notes so it can't really play the higher pitches that i've heard.
No wonder I couldn't make it work right!
I have been "flicking it AWAY from my lips!" Geeeeeeesh!
THANK YOU:)
Hey jonny, do u need straight teeth to play this or is crooked teeth ok to play this harp? Cuz my teeth r not straight nd was wondering if tht will effect it.
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.
@MegaRandompeoplez You will also need a quality harp as many of those sold in shops just will not work however well you play.
Well then why do they make them? What a freaking rip off. That’s simply disgusting. Jaw harps are so disgusting and I hate them. What a gimmicky piece of garbage which is truly worth NOTHING😡
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!
can you please explain the tongue part? i have everything else down, i just cant get that sound from when you move the tongue. is it because my harp is low quality?
this helped a lot. thank you.
I promptly learned how to play the jaw harp, when he was merely talking about proper placement of the instrument upon your teeth
@germanhero5555555 Not sure what you mean, what does not work?
i bought a "murchang morsing" jaw harp on ebay in the key of "D" for 25$ and it sounds awesome! hand made in india.
@regiscoo7 Take it easy, use a mirror to check position of teeth and keep trying!
Very cool. I haven't messed with one of these in years, but I'll see if I can get this down well enough to show my 8 year old who is very interested. I never knew about it actually touching the teeth. I always thought it was all lips. I'll give it a go though.
@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.
what you mean doing with the tongue?
Hi. I'm back. It's the "Snoopy", $3 (yeah, I know). BUT... apparantly I picked up something from the video because I can play it now. I have to really press it firmly against my teeth, this was some of the problem, making good progress now. Probably will upgrade to a better one soon. I agree, they should all come with the words "Don't Give Up" engraved on the side or something...
@kelschatz lol i got mine from a gift shop in virgina williamsburg
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 Thanks!!
How would one play with braced on?
I'm feel like I'm hyperventilating/getting light- headed when I breath in/out to create rhythm. Can you help me? I play trumpet & sing, so I know about breath support, but I'm not doing something right.
@TheJphoenix69 Careful technique is better than needing to use a guard.
Then it is probably the harp itself. You may need a better quality one. If there is a large gap between blade and harp frame then you get little sound.
@joshuaWEC Ha yes many have been put off by bad quality but let us keep the true heart of the instrument alive!
This is so cool I'm getting one
Hey, I bought one today for £1.25 (reduced from £4), but I can only get it to make a really low hum, nowhere near as high as it sounds here. Am I just doing it wrong or is the harp crap?
i have a crappy $7 one. i can play it, but it dosent have the nice sound you play. i will check out your shop for sure.
@Chromefly Depending on style yes, I'll post a movie about that soon...
AWESOME! Thanks a ton!
What is the name of that instrument?
:) I like this!
Thanks :)
@jarossamdb7 Careful there! Technique is important.
Can you tune a jews harp?
can oyu do this with braces
@mecedude Amen to that.
Hello! I recently bought the Snoopy jaw harp. I have watched a lot of videos on technique and how to use this instrument, but I am not getting that great twanging noise! Is there something that is wrong? Does having braces affect the sound?
Hi, braces make it more tricky but real problem will be the instrument. Those harps are just not good enough and I suggest yu try something better quality then follow some of my playing tips. You coould try the ones on my e-store, just follow channel page links...
OK,cool,thanks! I appreciate it!
Isabella Ramm Got the same one! They are actually not good D:
Do you have a recommendation for what kind of jaw harp I should buy that's decent but not more than $20 USD?
Hi, check out www.soundforhealth.com as I have many available in that price range and all play well. Thanks.
The one with snoopy on the box!!!!
should i get a mouth guard so it dosent break my teeth???
You probably covered this so I apologize. I am only getting a vibration or a low toned vibration. I don't get a "boing" or something like that. The link below is the one I bought.
www.amazon.com/Trophy-Music-Snoopy-Jaw-Harp/dp/B00502EE78/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1389142886&sr=8-2&keywords=snoopy+jaw+harp
thanks my big bro has one and we had no idea how it play it 80
nice Jonny
I bought one these years ago and never figured it out, I just tried it again now. Pretty sure mine is bad.
Is it supposed to chip your front teeth?
Only if you are doing it wrong! Please check my playing guide videos..
Hahaha i did that when i started learning.
Its pretty much inevitable if you learn with the snoopy lol
Lisa E yes
Ive got to have one
@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.
Hello - Does playing of this jaws harp hurt your teeth and erode away your enamel and cause pain in the long run?
Not with proper technique. I think it makes my front teeth stronger!
My problem is I can make the sound but it is so quiet when I make it. I think I have a bad harp.
@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...
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:(
Well this sucks when my bottom set of teeth are freaking crooked.
I got one of these for Christmas from my dad... I guess he still doesn't get the concept of braces yet.
I cannot play this thing. I have tried for hours, but I cannot play this thing. I own and can play numerous harmonicas, didgidiroos, flutes, ocarinas, etc. but I cannot play this thing. Even after watching your most informative video, I cannot play this thing. I'm giving it one more week and then I'm pitching it.
@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.
Should not be a problem, some of the larger metal harps will require care but otherwise should be fine.
I think I got the same jaw harp. But I can’t make any sound at all. Maybe my front teeth are too big ??
Hey shouldn't be a problem. My teeth are not flat. Just take more care how the harp sits against the teeth. Good luck!
If you cannot hear tongue movements then yes it is the harp.
You will find lots of good quality ones in my Ebay store - link via the channel page.
Hi Johnny, great playing! Just thought I'd post a video response with a trailer for a documentary film I made about the Chinese Yi minority people's mouth harp (brass and bamboo, 1-5 fanned). Contact me if you're interested in talking more!
No problem, just find stable position of harp...
Where are the follow up instruction videos?
Feel free to treat yourself to a new one - you will find great value on my e-store. Use link on Channel homepage.
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
@havik82 Step by sound for health dot com and see our real instruments.
I bought a 5 dollar jaw harp on amazon and it’s very quiet I can’t get it bro make much noise. Do you have any tips?
Often the gaps between the frame and the tongue are too big, suggest you find yourself a better one. If you follow the links you will find my e-store. Best, J
Sound For Health / Jonny Cope thanks!
Imagine the guy who invented this thing:
"Right, I am going to make a small instrument which can play only one note. To operate it you have to bite on a small metal rod with a needle sticking out of it while waving your hand in front of your face... anyone interested?"
i found it easier to make sound my biting it instead of putting it against your teeth when i put it against them it hardly makes any sound when i bite it it makes way better sound.
I'm missing a front tooth (Bottom jaw)... can I still play this instrument ???
I dont get it I followed everytging to the tee and I barley can hear a noise:l no bonnng either Im not sure exaxtly what to do people say close ur throat and idk HELLP
Anyone wanting tuition should check out my book / CD via Amazon / Ebay - see video descrip for links
@DystopiaUK yes my sites - pls see my channel for details or see sound for health dot com
Check out the cheaper ones I sell at sound for health dot com
@nevershoutleahh Please see my post about quality instruments...
It makes it trickier to hold the harp in place but should be no worries, my teeth are not the straightest either. J