morsingen

Morsingen, also spelled morsing, is a traditional mouth-resonated instrument used in parts of the Indian subcontinent. It is a type of jaw harp that functions as a free-reed instrument, producing sound when the vibrating metal tongue is plucked and the resonance of the oral cavity shapes the tone. The instrument is typically small and handheld, with a frame that holds a flexible reed or tongue in place.

Playing technique involves placing the mouth around the instrument and bracing it gently with teeth and lips. The reed is plucked to start vibration, and the musician alters pitch and timbre by changing the shape and size of the oral cavity, the position of the tongue, and the breath. The result is a bright, twang-like sound that can serve as rhythmic accompaniment or, in some styles, as a melodic element within a larger musical texture.

Regional usage and context vary. Morsingen is found in folk traditions across areas such as Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and parts of Nepal, where it has historically appeared in village performances, dances, and temple music. In contemporary settings, it is sometimes employed in world-music ensembles and fusion projects to add a distinctive percussive timbre or melodic color.

Relation to other instruments: the morsing is part of the broader family of jaw harps or mouth harps, a category that includes similar instruments in various cultures, such as the khomus in Yakut and other forms of Jew’s harps worldwide.

See also: jaw harp, Jew’s harp, khomus.