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Morsing - Morchang

The morsing9also called morchang) is a metal jaw harp used in Rajasthani folk music and southern Indian carnatic music. The morsing is an instrument of virtuosity used to play very rapid complex rhythmic patterns. To achieve these rapid passage the lamella is plucked in both directions, which is why the stem is curved into a tight circle. In the hands of an excellent musician, this is one of the most amazing jaw harps in the world. Of the two instruments shown, the top was collected in the 1980s, while the bottom instrument is from the 1950s.

Country: India
Region: Asia
Type: jaw harps

©  R. Raine-Reusch, May 2002