I remember reading that there were actually no fewer than 'five' Jews Harp makers living in Ulster, & what's more, making a living from their trade, in the 18th century. As these little instruments are so cheap many folks here must have owned one.

That they have been everywhere since the earliest times is not in question & a number were found, from the late Medieval period, at a dig in Carrickfergus:

It is pretty certain too that they were in common use by the Ulster-Scots folk, especially when you consider that in the early days in Appalachia - "The most popular instruments were the jew's harp and fiddle. Less often one would encounter a plucked or hammer dulcimer, some other home made instrument or possibly a flute or fife."

This extract was taken from Mike Seeger's' 'Music of the Southern Appalachian Mountains':

Of course they are a relatively quiet instrument & while they would have suited perhaps a small friendly kitchen ceilidh, playing along quite comfortably with a Fiddle, in the days before TV, today they simply can't compete with loud Accordions & Bagpipes & are totally unsuited for large dance & concert halls.

However, in a recording situation, they do add a certain magic to the sound an ensemble makes, especially if they are in tune with the instruments & the player is actually skilled enough to play melodies on them!

Listen to a tune being played on a Jews Harp, in duet with a Harmonica - do you recognise the tune:

For instructions on how to play the Jews Harp, visit the excellent website of 'Michael Wright':

Here's a short instructional Video Clip by 'Terje Isungset' on how to play a Jews Harp:

Listen to Jack Elliott playing the Strathspey 'Brochan Tanna' on the Jaws Harp:

Watch & listen to John Fowler playing the jawharp in the Appalachian style:

To find out much more about the Jews Harp visit the Jew's Harp Guild site:

Here is an interesting 'session.org' discussion on the Jews Harp:

There are lots of Jews Harp clips to listen to on this page: