guimbarda

Other theories point to French jeu (play), perhaps from jeu-trump (a trump, or toy, with which to play). It is widely accepted that the instrument has no musicological or etymological connection to the Jews, but the word was probably capitalized due to the mistaken belief of a connection.

The instrument is both a wind instrument and percussion instrument. As a wind instrument, it is placed against the mouth, which acts as a resonator and tool to alter the sound. Although mainly a folk instrument, better-made examples exist.

The jew's harp is a mouth-resonated heteroglot lamellaphone idiophone found widely distributed throughout Europe, parts of Asia (see morsing entry), and, to a lesser extent, in the Americas.

Jaw harps are one of the world's oldest instruments, thought to have originated in Asia thousands of years ago. Richard Hakluyt and Sir Walter Raleigh, both early investors in the Virginia Company of London wrote about the “lewes harp” in 1593 and 1596 respectively, as a useful trade item.

However during this period of Irish history Celtic traditions were losing ground to imposing British influence, and the harp became a symbol of the resistance to the Crown of England. Because of this, the harp was banned at the end of the medieval period and the Celtic musical tradition began to fade away.

jew's harp, also called jaw's harp, juice harp, or guimbard, musical instrument consisting of a thin wood or metal tongue fixed at one end to the base of a two-pronged frame.

The jaw harp gained spiritual and transcendental importance by serving as something that protected one's identity from being stolen by malevolent spirits and entities by concealing it. Electric vocoders or voice-encoding devices were invented for military communication purposes.

Jew's harps are widely distributed in Oceania and Asia, especially in tribal cultures, and in Europe, where they were introduced from Asia by the 14th century. The characteristic European form, also found elsewhere, is a pear-shaped metal frame with a metal tongue affixed.

jaw's harp jew's harp, also called jaw's harp, juice harp, or guimbard, musical instrument consisting of a thin wood or metal tongue fixed at one end to the base of a two-pronged frame.

PLUCK will continue to use Jew's harp, as it is still the most common term in use, but when referring to a player of the instrument will use "jawharpist." We will also use whatever name the maker of a particular instrument uses, and use a player's choice in name as well.

The Harp's Purpose Psalm 71:22 “I will also praise You with a harp, Even your truth, O my God; To You I will sing praises with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.” The harp appears many times throughout the Psalms (such as the one above) and is used as an instrument of praise to the Lord.

Harps were associated also with David in the Old Testament and used as the symbol of St. Cecilia, patron saint of musicians. But if seen on jewellery, or in funerary art, it can be seen as a symbolic of worship in heaven or hope.