Jew’s-harp is a small musical instrument that is used mainly in folk music and by children. The jew’s-harp consists of a flexible, metallic reed at one end of a curved metal frame. The other end of the reed is tapered and bent forward at a right angle. Players hold the metal frame against their lips and make the reed vibrate by hitting its forked end with their free hand. Players are able to produce different notes by changing the size and shape of the mouth cavity.
The name is probably a corrupt form of Jaw’s Harp. Musical instruments similar to the jew’s-harp have been found in various parts of the world, including Borneo, China, Japan, and Siberia. The jew’s-harp has been played in China since the 1100’s and in Europe since the 1300’s.
