!!!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 14%%sup th/%  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
K. M. Klier, Volkstuemliches Musikinstrumente in den 
Alpen, 1956; L. Schmidt, Volksmusik, 1983.


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