How To Play the Jaw Harp

Would you like this in text form with pictures? You can see a lot of this on my website, here:

See more info about the beginner and advanced courses here on my site:

I tried to cover all of the basics for playing the jaw harp (safely). For your convenience, you can skip to each section if you'd like:

0:00 How To Play the Jaw Harp - Intro
0:12 Jaw Harp Anatomy
1:01 How to Hold the Jaw Harp
5:56 How to Strike the Jaw Harp
8:01 Shaping the Sound (tongue and glottis)
Modulating the Jaw Harp
11:29 ---Tonguing
13:20 ---Breath
14:32 ---Diaphragm
15:45 ---Muting
18:23 Tips and What's Next?

[Ninnimuggins]

Dang man, this was a great tutorial. I've unfortunately given up on this instrument. but it's still really nice seeing a great teacher like you. It restores your faith in humanity a little, ya know?

[jason]

I had a stroke a year ago, and I am incorporating the jaw harp as part of my recovery. There are a lot of speaking skills that I relearning while learning a party skill.

[nickpsilvestri]

This is a great video with lots of examples with somewhat more complex techniques. Definitely my favorite jaw harp tutorial.

[tryagainfu]

Thanks for the tutorial. I've owned one for decades without giving it a go, but my grandson just pulled it out. I could not answer his questions. now you've inspired not just me to learn but my wife as well. She's the one who gave it to me.

[mariomarredo]

MY FRIEND. YESTERDAY MY JAW HARP ARRIVED AND I WAS ONLY ABLE TO MAKE A SOUND AFTER WATCHING YOUR VIDEO. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP IN THE DISCOVERY OF THIS NEW INSTRUMENT. IN ADDITION, I IDENTIFY WITH YOU BECAUSE I PLAY SOME INSTRUMENTS AND MUSIC FASCINATES ME IN ALL WAYS. YOUR EXPLANATION WAS VERY CLEAR AND OBJECTIVE.
I WAS BORN AND LIVED IN BRAZIL, BUT I ESPECIALLY LOVE BLUES, JAZZ AND ROCK&ROLL.
CONGRATULATIONS AND SEE YOU - OR SPEAK - FURTHER. STRONG HUG.

[AI-AITUM]

Thank you for introducing me to a new obsession 😂

[mjremy]

Extremely helpful! The closeups of teeth positioning solved my problem and saved my teeth from damage.
The rest of the tips about glottis, tongue, breathing will take some time to digest and practice. One at a time.
Right now I am trying to instinctively find the right way to hold this in my teeth.

This is an excellent demo with clear instructions, closeups, great visuals and clear audio. You are the best! Thank you!!

[coindigger]

You got a knack for teaching, great info. To build off from..Keep your lessons on coming..ty

[KlaudiAsh]

Wow, where do I even begin to thank you all for the jaw harp tricks? I have to admit, I'm loving the way I play it! Just saying "how are you?" through the harp is probably the easiest thing ever. I'll be hunting for words that you can kinda-sorta pronounce while playing for that extra cool effect. I haven't even tried the epiglottis trick, and I don't have an Adam's Apple either – but hey, I'm still having a blast! Another cool thing is, when you play and look at the TV, the whole screen seems to ripple like you're peering through an aquarium with dancing waters. That's a whole lot of fun – thank you! Your inspiration is seriously contagious. I hadn't touched my jaw harp in years, but after listening to some videos my daughter sent me, I just had to dive right back in – and now I'm treating myself to a sweet new MUARO "Lighthouse" Harp by Glazyrin. The Russian Theodor Bastard (yep, that's his real name) has a beautiful one, and there's something so spiritual about creating sounds with a jaw harp. It really messes with the brain in the best way possible. Listening to music is one thing, but actually making it? It's a whole different ball game! Lastly, whoever inspired you planted an amazing seed – the curiosity, the drive to learn, and not just that, but also to teach and share the gift that's been passed on to you. Keep on rockin'!

[zacqueen]

Thank you for this video! Yours is by far the most detailed and most clearly explained jaw harp playing tutorial for beginners! I managed to achieve some of the sounds and I will continue to practice!

[Untitled-eeks]

Dude thank you so much! I JUST got mine and I was watching your video as I played mine and tried the things you taught me along the way. So fun! Thank you so much! You’re a VERY good teacher.

[tuesss]

This is the best video on jaw harp I've seen. It goes in depth and explores more techniques than I learned about after watching many "advanced" videos by other people. It's also organised very well. And most importantly, you talked about safety in the first part, which I feel is neglected by everyone else. All that in 20 minutes. Amazing.

Seeing that you have other instruments on your wall and your channel is called "Sound Adventurer", I feel this is the perfect channel for me. Let's see your other videos...

[seevis]

this is so cool! Thank you very much putting in all this effort! So many examples, and you play so well! What a good teacher. I'll take your advice and hold it dear during my practice!

[Annehenrike]

A professional bassoonist here, but dang! This was harder than I thought! 😁

[Loggy]

Thank you so much! This was very helpful! I always struggled with the teeth placement as most tutorials don't do a great job in showing you how to properly place them but you did a fantastic job in showing how to do that. Well done!

[madeleinefauvinet]

I’ve loved being with you for 20 mins Clear, efficient, and indeed very agreeable Thank you, thank you....

[tonysanta]

Thanks a million! I've had one of these for 20 years and neither myself nor my dad had gotten anywhere close to achieving those sounds you seem to pull off so effortlessly!

[anastasiacaffee]

Dude where were you when I had my own jaw harp when I was a kid! I never understood how that thing was to be played so it just became something I fiddled with and now I don't remember what I did with that thing but maybe one day I'll pick this thing up to actually play around with properly xD

[KS]

I can tell you are a genuine dude and I like your personality keep up on the videos very informative

[polar]

I had one at my house for like years and I've never understand how it was supposed to be used until I saw a music video with this instrument. So I came to watch your video to try it too! At first I didn't know how to put my mouths onto it. But I tried several times differents ways and finally I succeed! ( only to make a song for the moment it is cool haha). Now I'm trying to use my tongue to make variations but it's kinda hard. I guess practice is the only answer! Thank you for your video, you make things really clear!