Category: Boxes & Cases
Wooden Box Ataian for Vargan Paul Potkin I
€10.29
Kou Xian (Ho Ho) Set of 3
Price:
€21.10
Set of Three Kou Xian Jaw Harps
This set contains three brass jaw harps, each tuned to its own fundamental pitch, allowing you to explore both traditional melodic sequences and experimental harmonic layering. The instruments are small enough to fit in a pocket yet capable of producing surprisingly rich, complex tones when played correctly.
How They Work
A jaw harp is played by holding the frame against your teeth and plucking the flexible metal tongue with your finger or thumb. The vibrating tongue produces a fundamental pitch determined by its length and thickness, while your mouth cavity acts as a resonator. By changing the shape of your mouth and throat, you can amplify different overtones and harmonics above that base note, creating melodic variation without retuning the instrument.
Each harp in this set has its own keynote, so you can play a single instrument for melodic exploration, or use all three together to create layered harmonic textures. The technique requires practice to control pitch accurately, but the learning curve is gentle enough for beginners.
Construction and Materials
These harps are made from brass, a material chosen for its acoustic properties and durability. The instruments are handmade using traditional methods, which means each one carries slight variations in tuning and response—a characteristic of authentic, non-industrial production rather than a defect. If you require instruments tuned to standard concert pitch (A 440Hz) or specific intervals, alternatives are available in our catalog.
Musical Traditions and Uses
The Kou Xian, also known as Ho Ho, has a documented history in traditional music practice. Complex melodic repertoires exist for these instruments, developed over generations of playing. In contemporary music, jaw harps serve musicians exploring world music traditions, meditation practices, and experimental sound creation. The three-harp set format—each with its own pitch—opens possibilities for both traditional performance and creative sonic exploration unavailable with a single instrument.
What's Included
- Three brass jaw harps, each with its own fundamental pitch
- Protective carrying case
- Playing instructions
Getting Started
Begin by holding one harp frame lightly against your upper front teeth, keeping your lips relaxed around the frame. Pluck the tongue gently and experiment with opening and closing your mouth to hear how the overtones change. Start with slow, deliberate plucks to develop control before attempting faster passages. The case protects your instruments during storage and transport.
Jaw harps remain integral to traditional music practices across Asia, valued for their portability, expressive range, and the intimate relationship between player and instrument that their design demands.
Price:
€21.10
Kou Xian (Ho Ho) Set of 3 — Three traditional brass jaw harps from Yunnan, each tuned to its own fundamental note to explore complex melodies and harmonies. Played by holding the frame against your teeth and plucking the flexible tongue, these ancient small instruments produce rich and nuanced sounds, amplified by your oral cavity. Hand-crafted using techniques passed down through generations, they suit both beginners and experienced musicians seeking to integrate the jaw harp into their meditative practices, world music or sound creation. Supplied with protective case and detailed playing instructions.
This jaw harp is no longer available and cannot be supplied. As most jaw harps are individually handcrafted, instruments sometimes disappear from the market when their maker stops production.
Rather than let this knowledge vanish, we have preserved this instrument in our Jaw Harp Archive, where it can continue to inform and inspire.
| Origin | China |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0,02 kg |
| Dimensions | 5,5 cm |
| Included | Playing instructions, Jaw harp bag |
| Materials | Brass |
| Key | Free Tuning |
| Jaw Harp Type | Lip-activated jaw harp |
♪ Audio Samples ♪
Kou Xian (Ho Ho)
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!
Set of Three Kou Xian Jaw Harps
This set contains three brass jaw harps, each tuned to its own fundamental pitch, allowing you to explore both traditional melodic sequences and experimental harmonic layering. The instruments are small enough to fit in a pocket yet capable of producing surprisingly rich, complex tones when played correctly.
How They Work
A jaw harp is played by holding the frame against your teeth and plucking the flexible metal tongue with your finger or thumb. The vibrating tongue produces a fundamental pitch determined by its length and thickness, while your mouth cavity acts as a resonator. By changing the shape of your mouth and throat, you can amplify different overtones and harmonics above that base note, creating melodic variation without retuning the instrument.
Each harp in this set has its own keynote, so you can play a single instrument for melodic exploration, or use all three together to create layered harmonic textures. The technique requires practice to control pitch accurately, but the learning curve is gentle enough for beginners.
Construction and Materials
These harps are made from brass, a material chosen for its acoustic properties and durability. The instruments are handmade using traditional methods, which means each one carries slight variations in tuning and response—a characteristic of authentic, non-industrial production rather than a defect. If you require instruments tuned to standard concert pitch (A 440Hz) or specific intervals, alternatives are available in our catalog.
Musical Traditions and Uses
The Kou Xian, also known as Ho Ho, has a documented history in traditional music practice. Complex melodic repertoires exist for these instruments, developed over generations of playing. In contemporary music, jaw harps serve musicians exploring world music traditions, meditation practices, and experimental sound creation. The three-harp set format—each with its own pitch—opens possibilities for both traditional performance and creative sonic exploration unavailable with a single instrument.
What's Included
- Three brass jaw harps, each with its own fundamental pitch
- Protective carrying case
- Playing instructions
Getting Started
Begin by holding one harp frame lightly against your upper front teeth, keeping your lips relaxed around the frame. Pluck the tongue gently and experiment with opening and closing your mouth to hear how the overtones change. Start with slow, deliberate plucks to develop control before attempting faster passages. The case protects your instruments during storage and transport.
Jaw harps remain integral to traditional music practices across Asia, valued for their portability, expressive range, and the intimate relationship between player and instrument that their design demands.
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