Jew's Harp

a small musical instrument, a favorite with boys. It consists of a thin tongue of tempered steel with a U-shaped frame, except that the ends of the frame are brought nearer together and prolonged. It is played by placing the ends of the frame against the teeth, while the tongue is set in play by striking the free end with the finger. Shades of intensity are produced by varying the current of the breath. Changes of pitch are produced by changing the cavity of the mouth, which serves at once as a sounding board and as on organ pipe. The origin of the instrument, as well as the origin of its name, is in dispute.