Jaw Harps for the Beginner
Many people who are new to the Jaw Harp may ask, “What is a good harp for me?” This question has many answers. First; you want a harp that is easy to play and relatively low cost. In this category there are many acceptable harps. Below you will find a list of Jaw Harps that are easy to learn and practice, yet will still satisfy your needs as you transition from beginner to an advanced player. Click on the image to go directly to Maker page.
The River Doromb by Szilagyi is a great first harp for beginners! This Doromb has a compact size and is easily playable in both directions. The reed is flexible and buttery soft.
Aròn has been playing the Doromb since he was a child! He has learned the craft from his father, Zoltan, who is a master harp builder and been crafting these beautiful instruments for nearly 4 decades!
The River responds well to breathy and percussive play as well as open/close glottis techniques.
River Doromb are equipped with a coating that resists corrosion. With proper care, your instrument will live many years free of rust or corrosion, and the original luster should retain its original beauty!
These Doromb come pre-tuned by the maker. You will be able to choose your pitch from the list below. A “World” tuned harp is untuned and does not fall on a typical note. If you do not know what note you might prefer, please feel free to email us at theharpery@gmail.com with inquiries.
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Bhagvana Tailess Bass Morchang and Traditional Bass Morchang are excellent low cost starting points for those new to the harp who want to play in either direction. Fast and slow plucking, beatboxing, and percussives are all easily accessible in a very low cost hand forged instrument.
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Vietnamese Dan Moi can be a great start for those wishing to start with a lip played instrument. These delicate brass instruments produce strong sound to the beginner but require gentle handling. Dan Moi are good low cost options, but their thin brass designs will require a delicate touch, and sharp pointy reed may make them unsafe for use by children. Dan Moi are positioned against the lips, rather than the teeth, for a softer physical connection. Definitely a staple in the mouth harp relm, the Dan Moi will not disappoint! They are more quiet in volume, but can definitely be just as funky in overtones and melodies as any Jaw Harp.
A small brass murchunga with a reed held into place with solder. Made in Nepal, these instruments can be melodic and accept plucking in both directions. A favorite of North American Jaw Harp player Nico Cornelius.
The Murchunga is a good beginner harp that will grow along with you as advanced skills are learned. These brass cast instruments come supplied on wooden block for harping on the go!
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Pavel Potkin Standard are nice little vargan that are easy to play, low cost, and come with a wooden case for harping on the go! This is a sturdy brass harp with a softer reed and they tend to bode well with children of all ages from 5 to 95!
Pavel Potkin large Vargan are a great first harp with a clean and unsaturated sound. These vargan tolerate plucks in both direction quite easily.
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Clackamore are an excellent mouth harp style for young children as there are no sharp edges and a child can quickly learn about how changing mouth shape changes the sound of the instrument.
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Vandjurak Son Drymba are a great low cost Ukranian drymba for those seeking a quiet harp with a flexible tongue and pleasing sound. Only inward plucking styles will work with this instrument.
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Glazyrin Scythian, Aria, and Mongol all come with a laser etched design on the front, and are also constructed of stainless steel. Scythian are the lowest cost Vargan. Scythian is a small harp with decent volume and a pleasant buzzing sound not nearly as clear or loud as other Glazyrin, but at a low cost. Aria is a lower cost midrange bass, great for those new to the instrument. Glazyrin Mongol have a slightly larger stature than Scythian, but with a lower tone and longer sustain, while keeping up with a low cost.
Glazyrin Wave, Lighthouse, or Compass will make an excellent introduction to the saturated sound of the Russian Vargan. These instruments are constructed of stainless steel, for easy care. The Wave is breathy and loud, and is a saturated midrange. The lighthouse is a rich and saturated bass. The Compass is a midrange and is great for fast play. All good places to start in Glazyrin.
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Some other good beginner choices are the Rekha Hybrid and Ghorka Tailess. Excellent unsaturated instruments that are easy to play and hold! These instruments allow a nice entry point into the amazing world of Rajasthani Morchang. Good for fast and slow play as well as practicing advanced open/close style play. Good for a beginner, but many advanced techniques can be done on this harp as well. These Morchang tend to have stiffer reeds.
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The Harps of Ildar Gimadiev can be approached by the beginner to series play. Saturated in sound they make techno, beatboxing, and the sounds of outer space a breeze.