I always thought that piece of metal you put in your mouth that makes vibrating noises somewhat akin to a didgeridoo was know as a Jews Harp.
Reading a tribute to Ennio Morricone in this months Uncut I saw it referred to as a Jaw Harp. That would make more sense but is clearly wrong (in my head). Which should it be or can it be both?
What other curiosities can we resolve through friendly debate on this site?
Moose the Mooche says
It’s both. You’re not mad. On this evidence at least.
John Walters says
Always known it as a Jews Harp. Used to have one. Rattled your teeth if you got it wrong.
SteveT says
Yes I played once and remember it being uncomfortable.I thought along the same lines as @Askwith but there is no evidence to suggest that is the case because apparently both variants are allowed. The Jaw version drops the s though.
Askwith says
@stevet. I bought one in the 70s and it was definitely called a “Jaws Harp”
John Walters says
Features heavily on “Join Together “ by The Who.
Askwith says
“Join Together“ was the reason I bought one. I loved that record 🙂
Askwith says
Jews Harp. Renamed Jaws Harp to sidestep any possible anti-semitism accusations presumably
Mrbellows says
Is it enlightenment renaming it or revisionist history?
Gatz says
I would have speculated that it started as Jaw Harp, due to how it’s played, that got corrupted to Jew’s Harp, which then got back to Jaw for the reason Askwith suggests. The OED calls this theory ‘baseless and inept’, and I can’t pretend that I don’t find that slightly wounding. You can be very harsh, OED, very harsh indeed.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jew%27s_harp#Etymology
Slug says
As a hereditary member of the Chosen People (albeit the atheist branch who enjoy the food/humour/culture, but not so much the religion), I can assure you that a weeny little musical instrument named after us is the very least of our worries and it would take an unusually thin-skinned nudnik to get upset about it. Not in a world where as recently as 2015 there was a town in northern Spain called Castrillo Matajudíos (which translates as the absolutely charming “Jew-killer Camp”) until the local council were persuaded that altering the name was possibly a reasonable idea.
Moose the Mooche says
Little Old Country Boy into Potholes In My Lawn…. Doinggg diddy doinggg etc
bigstevie says
“If you listen to “Up on Cripple Creek” I believe Garth was the first guy to use a clavinet as a funk rhythm tune…it was before [Stevie Wonder recorded] “Superstition.” I mean listen to it, I always thought it was a Jew’s harp but you listen to it and [Garth’s] playing a funky wah-wah clavinet.” Don Was.
“This effect that Garth has the clavinet and the organ are kind of like the lead instrument. The thing that sticks out isn’t the guitar nor the piano, but this Jew’s harp clavinet thing.” Robbie Robertson.
Moose the Mooche says
I did not know it was a clavinet. I’m pretty sure there’s one on Funkadelic’s A Joyful Process – also wah-wahed – which is earlier than Stevie.
fentonsteve says
There’s a great boingy solo from about 2:15 in No Controles by Mexico’s Café Tacvba. I haven’t got a clue what they are on about but I love this:
Twang says
Always liked this as a nip. Probably the first time I can remember hearing slide guitar too.
Boingy slidetastic.
Slug says
Best disinterested studio audience clapping along out of time, ever.
Twang says
And I suspect the singer is, ahem, well relaxed.
retropath2 says
Hah, I remember crashing (man) a Medicine Head gig at the Winter Gardens in, of all places, Eastbourne. They were good, if loads of odd musical mouth furniture.