Maultrommel#

Jew´s Harp or guimbarde; small musical instrument of Asian origin consisting of a pear-shaped metal frame and a projecting steel strip (also called tongue), that is struck with a finger. When playing the harp, the musician holds it between his teeth, with his mouth forming a resonance cavity; in Europe the first documented mentions of the use of this instrument, which has a length of about 7 cm, date from the 14th century. In the past it was mostly used by boys who visited their sweethearts during nightly hours (custom called "Fensterln" in Austria). Today the instrument is produced at the Upper Austrian market town of Molln and is exported to all parts of the world.

Literature#