Henon Bamboo Jaw Harp

[Mark Meckes]

Made in 1999 from Phyllostachys nigra 'Henon' grown in Savannah Georgia.
Key of D
Length: 13.5 in / 34 cm
See some of my other jaw harp experiments from 1999. (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=3034)

http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/data/527/thumbs/JHarp-060710-3529.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=1937&cat=527&ppuser=1) http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/data/527/thumbs/JHarp-060710-3527.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=1936&cat=527&ppuser=1) http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/data/527/thumbs/JHarp-060710-3528.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=1935&cat=527&ppuser=1)

Never got around to giving this jaw harp a final workover and finishing but it has become my most played and favorite musical culmpanion.
I guess one could say that a good looking instrument doesn't mean it will play better. ;)

It is a strange experience to try and carve a needle in a piece of bamboo and produce a musical vibration, especially if you have no clue or guidance on how to make this instrument.

I'm hoping to meet others who make these jaw harps but it's been a long time waiting :(

Mark

[sound world]

Looks great Mark!
I've never made one-I have some from Indonesia and they look so delicate,and the work that's gone into them so refined and careful-and miniscule!-that I've always thought I'd be too crude a workman to have the patience.So it's one bamboo instrument that I'm probably not going to make....!
What's more,you can go into 3rd World charity shops here and buy one for £1.No reflection on the work that's gone into it....
The khaen/khene (from Laos etc) is another instrument I'll never get round to making.I have a long and learned article about the making of those-extraordinary patience and skill required,including resourcing materials that are increasingly rare-and they too end up in Oxfam shops-I bought two in c.1990 for £1.50:( .

[Mark Meckes]

:( Bummer :(
Still, even though one can buy a bamboo flute at a flea market or novelty store for $1, there are still people who would like to make their own flute, or will even pay hundreds of dollars for a flute.

Fortunately for me, I made these for pleasure rather than for profit. :)

Here's a pic of some of my tinkerings
http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/data/3034/medium/JHarp060711-3532.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=1938) See big pic (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=1938&size=big&cat=3034&ppuser=1)
Being neither a musican and knowing very little about musical principles or making musical instruments, it's kinda awkward to discuss the making of these instruments.
I'll try and put some thoughts together when I get a chance sometime.
Is the type of bamboo jaw harp that you have a string held thumb dinger type like above, or the kind that you pluck with the end with your finger?

I have one of the other types which I bought from a music store a while back which I'll take some pics of.
Edit: See this thread (http://www.bamboocraft.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2037)

Mark