Maultrommel

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.

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.

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.

The term is partly inspired by the Aeolian harp, a stringed instrument that is left outdoors to be played by the wind, whose name was taken from Aeolus the god of the wind. Early names for the harmonica were Aeolina, Aeolian and Mund-Aeoline, which stressed this link with the Aeolian harp.

Each time the soundboard rises it is pushing air, creating pressure waves. The air right around the harp is pushing on the air that is a bit further away and so on and so on. Eventually, there is an ear. The pressure waves sail right on in to the ear drum and press on it and wallah, a sound is born!

With its wide pitch range, soothing palette of tones, and harmonic frequencies, harp music settles, harmonizes, and eases us into profound, restorative states of deep relaxation and meditation. At its essence, the harp offers solace.

A classical lyre has a hollow body or sound-chest (also known as soundbox or resonator), which, in ancient Greek tradition, was made out of turtle shell. Extending from this sound-chest are two raised arms, which are sometimes hollow, and are curved both outward and forward.

It represents joy, blessings, comfort, deliverance, and is a unique and powerful instrument of worship in heaven. Hardly a caricature of heaven does not include angels and harps! The loss of the harp is a sign of bondage. Israel hung up their harps when they were in Babylonian captivity (Psalm 137:2).

Each time the soundboard rises it is pushing air, creating pressure waves. The air right around the harp is pushing on the air that is a bit further away and so on and so on. Eventually, there is an ear. The pressure waves sail right on in to the ear drum and press on it and wallah, a sound is born!

If you are still looking for a verbal characterization of the Dusty sound, here are some of the words we've heard used by players of our harps: balanced, clear as crystal, shimmering, deep, resonant, distinctive ring, bell-like, sweet, strong, rich overtones, big sound, responsive, articulate, lush, even, warm, crisp, ...