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Further Thoughts on Jew's Harps
Aug. 28th, 2009 01:55 pmIt strikes me that one of the reasons I find alternative names for Jew's Harps to be mildly annoying is that names of musical instruments have a cultural context for me.
One (of many possible) derivations suggested for the name was its popularity among people like the Khazars, who were largely Jewish. That's a link back to areas of the world where the instrument is still used.
I'd be equally irritated if Appalachian dulcimers, or Irish Harps underwent a name change.
I still can't pronounce 'bodhran' correctly (it's the drum in the icon), but I'd never want to change the name as that would be to lose the cultural context and history of the instrument. Speaking of which, I really need to get mine out and play it more often...
One (of many possible) derivations suggested for the name was its popularity among people like the Khazars, who were largely Jewish. That's a link back to areas of the world where the instrument is still used.
I'd be equally irritated if Appalachian dulcimers, or Irish Harps underwent a name change.
I still can't pronounce 'bodhran' correctly (it's the drum in the icon), but I'd never want to change the name as that would be to lose the cultural context and history of the instrument. Speaking of which, I really need to get mine out and play it more often...
