JAW'S HARP See jew's harp.
JESTER'S FLUTE — Europe. A wooden instrument made in the form of a flute douce. It was not intended for musical performances, but was used by jesters to produce ludicrous effects. Between the imitation mouthpiece and the key-holes was a hollow wooden ball, which was filled with flour, and when the unwary spectator accepted an invitation to play the flute, the force of his breath ejected the flour into his face through two small tubes provided for the purpose.
JEW'S HARP — Sonorous Substances. Europe. A small metallic tongue vibrating within an iron frame shaped like a horseshoe. When played it is placed between the teeth, and vibrations of the metallic tongue are produced by striking it with the finger while a tune is hummed. One theory of the name is that it was originally jaw's harp, from its position while being played, and another that it was first made and sold in England by Jews. It is shrill and peculiar in sound, and rather melancholy. Even in the Nineteenth 'Century the jew's harp retained its popularity. In 1860 no less than six million are said to have been produced in Steyer, province of Styria, Austria.
JHANG — Sonorous Substances. India. Cymbals used as accompaniments to native music.
JINDAI SUZU — Sonorous Substances. Japan. Antique harness bells made from a narrow piece of metal strung on either side with small bells.
JINNIRITSI — See schoschi-bouie.
JOUET — Free Reed. Spain and Italy. An instrument shaped like a human head, and made of composite material. It is pierced in the face to allow the passage of a tube containing a free reed. Each jouet is capable of only one note.
JUNK — Plucked Strings. Arabia. In the Crosby-Brown collection in the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a junk twenty-six inches wide, furnished with a triangular sound-box having one sound-hole, and a neck of polished wood at one end. It is fitted with six strings. This is typical.
