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Morchang Mohan Superb II Brass
Price:
€42.72
Morchang Mohan Superb II — Hand-Forged Brass Jaw Harp
This is a brass jaw harp made in 2010 by Mohan Lal, a master smith working in Rajasthan. The instrument features an uncommon frame geometry that distinguishes it from more conventional designs, and it is constructed entirely from brass — a material chosen for both its acoustic and working properties.
Construction and Materials
Brass is a copper-zinc alloy that offers particular advantages for jaw harp construction. It produces a bright, resonant tone and can be worked and shaped by hand without requiring industrial machinery. The frame shape on this model is documented as rare, meaning the proportions and curve of the outer frame differ from standard patterns, affecting how the instrument vibrates and projects sound.
Hand forging — the process of heating and shaping metal by hammer — is labour-intensive and requires years of apprenticeship. Each instrument is individually formed rather than cast or stamped, which means no two examples are identical. This method also allows the smith to adjust thickness and tension in the metal during creation, influencing the final tonal character.
How It Sounds and Is Played
A jaw harp is an idiophone with a single vibrating metal tongue (or tine) that is plucked while the frame sits against or near the player's teeth. The mouth cavity acts as a resonator, and changes in mouth shape, tongue position and breath control alter the pitch and timbre of the sound. The brass construction of this model produces tones described as bright and resonant, with the capacity to sustain and colour notes across a wide range depending on how the player shapes their oral cavity.
The instrument is free-tuned, meaning it does not produce a fixed pitch but rather a fundamental note with harmonic overtones that shift as the player modulates breath and mouth shape. This approach is traditional to many jaw harp designs and places the responsibility for melodic variation entirely with the player's technique.
Cultural and Musical Context
Jaw harps have been played across multiple continents for centuries, but they hold particular significance in Indian folk traditions, especially in Rajasthan where this instrument was made. The morchang — the Hindi and Rajasthani term for jaw harp — appears in both devotional and secular music, and is often played solo or as an accompaniment to voice or other percussion.
The instrument's portability and relative simplicity make it accessible to beginners, while its responsiveness to subtle variations in breath and oral technique rewards extended practice and musical development. It has been adopted in contemporary world music fusion contexts as well as in meditative and experimental sound work.
What Is Included
The Morchang Mohan Superb II arrives ready to play. No assembly or tuning is required. Care should be taken to avoid dropping or striking the frame, as the metal can crack or dent if subjected to impact.
The jaw harp remains a living tradition in Rajasthan and across India, played in contexts ranging from folk celebration to spiritual practice.
Price:
€42.72
Morchang Mohan Superb II Brass — A hand-forged jaw harp from Rajasthan, crafted by master artisan Mohan Lal in high-quality brass. This traditional morchang produces bright, resonant tones ideal for folk music, contemporary world fusion, and meditative soundscapes. The flexible metal tongue responds to subtle shifts in mouth shape and breath, making it accessible to beginners while offering depth for experienced players. Lightweight at 50g and measuring 10cm, it carries centuries of desert music tradition into any musical setting. A genuine connection to Rajasthani folk heritage, wrapped in the warm metallic voice of hand-worked brass.
| Origin | India |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0,05 kg |
| Dimensions | 10,0 cm |
| Materials | Brass |
| Key | Free Tuning |
| Jaw Harp Type | Teeth-activated jaw harp |
♪ Audio Samples ♪
Morchang Mohan Superb II
Caution: Not suitable for children under 3 years. Please supervise older children. Beware of swallowing small parts, strangulation, material allergies, sharp edges and points! Use only for sound generation. No liability for improper use.
Care: Extreme temperature fluctuations, humidity and direct sunlight can affect the lifespan. Please store in balanced humidity to prevent material changes, mold and corrosion. Remove dirt with a damp cloth. Dry after cleaning and each use.
Disposal: Please contact your local waste disposal authority for information on environmentally sound disposal!
Morchang Mohan Superb II — Hand-Forged Brass Jaw Harp
This is a brass jaw harp made in 2010 by Mohan Lal, a master smith working in Rajasthan. The instrument features an uncommon frame geometry that distinguishes it from more conventional designs, and it is constructed entirely from brass — a material chosen for both its acoustic and working properties.
Construction and Materials
Brass is a copper-zinc alloy that offers particular advantages for jaw harp construction. It produces a bright, resonant tone and can be worked and shaped by hand without requiring industrial machinery. The frame shape on this model is documented as rare, meaning the proportions and curve of the outer frame differ from standard patterns, affecting how the instrument vibrates and projects sound.
Hand forging — the process of heating and shaping metal by hammer — is labour-intensive and requires years of apprenticeship. Each instrument is individually formed rather than cast or stamped, which means no two examples are identical. This method also allows the smith to adjust thickness and tension in the metal during creation, influencing the final tonal character.
How It Sounds and Is Played
A jaw harp is an idiophone with a single vibrating metal tongue (or tine) that is plucked while the frame sits against or near the player's teeth. The mouth cavity acts as a resonator, and changes in mouth shape, tongue position and breath control alter the pitch and timbre of the sound. The brass construction of this model produces tones described as bright and resonant, with the capacity to sustain and colour notes across a wide range depending on how the player shapes their oral cavity.
The instrument is free-tuned, meaning it does not produce a fixed pitch but rather a fundamental note with harmonic overtones that shift as the player modulates breath and mouth shape. This approach is traditional to many jaw harp designs and places the responsibility for melodic variation entirely with the player's technique.
Cultural and Musical Context
Jaw harps have been played across multiple continents for centuries, but they hold particular significance in Indian folk traditions, especially in Rajasthan where this instrument was made. The morchang — the Hindi and Rajasthani term for jaw harp — appears in both devotional and secular music, and is often played solo or as an accompaniment to voice or other percussion.
The instrument's portability and relative simplicity make it accessible to beginners, while its responsiveness to subtle variations in breath and oral technique rewards extended practice and musical development. It has been adopted in contemporary world music fusion contexts as well as in meditative and experimental sound work.
What Is Included
The Morchang Mohan Superb II arrives ready to play. No assembly or tuning is required. Care should be taken to avoid dropping or striking the frame, as the metal can crack or dent if subjected to impact.
The jaw harp remains a living tradition in Rajasthan and across India, played in contexts ranging from folk celebration to spiritual practice.
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