(headline image: Sigurd Brokke’s muunnharpes – Photo by Lena Knutli)
The munnharpe, a Norwegian jaw harp, is a metal instrument believed to have originated in Asia. Historical records suggest that it arrived in Europe before the year 500 AD. Over the centuries, its popularity has fluctuated, but it is currently experiencing a resurgence.
The instrument consists of two parts: a metal frame with parallel arms and a flexible steel tongue attached to the frame. Sound is produced by placing the frame against the teeth and plucking the steel tongue with a finger. The head acts as a resonance chamber, and the pitch can be altered by adjusting mouth position and breathing techniques.
One of Norway’s leading munnharpe players, Sigurd Brokke, has won the Landskappleiken award (top Norwegian folk music competition) and has been nominated for various other honors. Together with Daniel Sandén-Warg, he has released Rammeslag (Etnisk Musikklubb, 2007) and Rammeslag II (Etnisk Musikklubb, 2009). In addition, he has released two solo albums, Munnharpe (Etnisk Musikklubb, 2012) and Munnharpe II (Etnisk Musikklubb, 2015).
Other top performers include Svein Westad, who released Munnharpas Verden (2006); Bernhard Folkestad, Anders Røine, Jim Erik Hoem Johansen, Kenneth Lien, Thov Wetterhus, John Melhus, Ånon Egeland, Veronika Søum, Bent Åserud, Tom Willy Rustad, and Arnt Magne Haugen.
Several skilled craftsmen specialize in making munnharpes, including Folke Nesland, Simen Roheim Iversen, Sven Håkon Jørgensen, Ole Bjørn Skoe, Stein Terje Mathisen and Alexander Sørnes.
Norsk munnharpe is a project that documents the leading figures in the world of munnharpe. Their website features articles and interviews with the musicians and blacksmith-instrument makers mentioned above. Norsk munnharpe also publishes a magazine called Munnharpa.
Sources used in this article include Etnisk Musikklubb and Norsk munnharpe. Special thanks to Veronika Søum for providing the photos.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.