Jaw Harp — A Tiny Instrument, a Huge Drone
The jaw harp is a tiny lamellophone held between the lips and plucked with a finger, turning the player's mouth into a resonating chamber. Simple in appearance, it offers a hypnotic sonic palette much loved in world music and contemporary fusion.
Price on request — contact us on WhatsApp
What it is
The jaw harp (also called guimbarde or trump) is a lamellophone: a horseshoe-shaped metal frame holds a flexible tongue that the player flicks with a finger while holding the frame between the teeth or against the lips. By reshaping the mouth cavity and breath, the player brings out different harmonics of the base note, creating surprising melodies and rhythms from a single fundamental sound.
Closely related instruments exist in many cultures worldwide (Central Asia, the Alps, Southeast Asia, Africa), each with its own take on material and playing style.
Origins and history
The jaw harp's exact origins are lost to history; related instruments have existed for millennia across several continents. In Morocco it isn't part of the Gnawa, Amazigh or Andalusian ritual repertoire as such, but it has seen a genuine resurgence of interest among contemporary Moroccan musicians exploring world music, fusion and organic, minimalist textures.
Today it's an instrument of curiosity and experimentation, valued for its portability and the immersive sonic experience it offers, including in meditation or solo sound practice.
Handcrafted the traditional way
Our jaw harps are forged from metal (usually steel or brass), hand-shaped and polished, with the vibrating tongue fine-tuned to give a crisp response and a stable drone over time. Setting the tongue's tension is a delicate step that directly shapes the instrument's harmonic richness.
| Instrument type | Lamellophone (jaw harp) |
|---|---|
| Material | Forged steel or brass |
| Length | about 8–12 cm |
| Weight | very light, portable |
| Level | Approachable from the first try, advanced technique with practice |
How to choose the right one
- Forging quality: a well-finished frame avoids unwanted rattling against the teeth.
- Tongue tension: try several if possible — an overly stiff tongue is hard for a beginner to sound.
- Portability: a great first travel or intro-to-overtones instrument.
How it's played
The instrument is held between the teeth or lightly against the lips, without touching the tongue with the teeth so it can vibrate freely when plucked by the finger. The player shapes the sound by changing the mouth cavity and breath, bringing out different harmonics of the base note to build rhythmic and melodic patterns.
Care and maintenance
Wipe the jaw harp after use to prevent the metal from oxidising from mouth moisture. Store it in a rigid case to protect the tongue, the most fragile part of the instrument, from impact.
Also known as a jaw harp, trump, or mouth harp depending on the region of the world.
Frequently asked questions
Is the jaw harp a traditional Moroccan instrument?+
No, it isn't part of the Gnawa, Amazigh or Andalusian heritage repertoire as such; related instruments are found in many cultures worldwide. It's increasingly used by Moroccan musicians in a spirit of experimentation and fusion.
Is it hard to learn?+
The first sounds come within minutes, but mastering harmonic variation to build real melodies takes regular practice.
Can I damage it by playing too hard?+
A well-forged tongue withstands energetic playing, but avoid direct impacts that could bend the frame or the tongue.
