Jewish harp, dangerous for teeth?

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Permalink Reply by Jens Mügge on February 4, 2012 at 12:02pm

Hey Sauli, the best way will be that you ask your dentist if you can play khomus again with your new front tooth. I think you can if you play carefully and do not push too much ... maybe at first you try to play dan moi and then you can play a khomus. I am interested what the other jew's harp friends think and know about it. All the best with your new front tooth! Jens

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Permalink Reply by Kidis-ool Vassilis Galanos on February 11, 2012 at 8:33am

Hi Sauli,
on my trip to Tuva and the regions around i noticed that lots of people are in lack of front teeth, and first thing that came in my mind was that the constant playing of khomus was responsible for that. But this was just a silly thought, as i realized then that most of the tuvans do not play regularly the khomus, while people who do so have usually no problem with their teeth. Look at Ayarkhaan! They seem ready to pose for a toothpaste ad!
I don't think that vibrations are enough to ruin a tooth, but maybe the rust of a well used steel khomus might be more dangerous.

ps. i think i have a picture of you here.

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Permalink Reply by Sauli Heikkilä on February 12, 2012 at 9:07pm

That´s what I am planning to do. But I am afraid that she says just in case that you should be carefull.... I turn to bamboo khomuses...

Yes, Kidis-ool. Thats me;o) nice wedding.

Sauli

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Permalink Reply by Damian Vargan on February 19, 2012 at 8:34pm

Jaw harp just cant bounce on teeth. You have to have a strong grip and pull instrument hard in front of Your teeth! Its quite important :) I know bunch of guys and girls that are playing with too light grip - its not good for their teeth. We also know that there are many old peoples that still plays jaw harp and their teeth are in very good condition :) I play couple of years with absolutely NO PROBLEM :)

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Permalink Reply by Dan Zimmermann on February 20, 2012 at 6:58am

I agree with Damian here. If there is a loose grip and therefore a gap between the metal and the teeth, some vibration can (if conditions are just right) be harmful to the tooth enamel, just like constant running on concrete can damage your knee joints... But there's no reason to believe that you would play the Khomus in that way for long enough to actually harm the teeth, because such vibrations would be audible and their sensation might be unpleasant too. I would assume that the correct grip or pressure is something you would learn how to do right in the beginning of learning how to play Khomus, which I am certain you know how to do properly, Sauli... I've heard your playing before...

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Permalink Reply by Sauli Heikkilä on February 21, 2012 at 9:08pm

Thank´s for your opinion. Nothing wrong with my grip, I have played probably 20+ years... And I know my teeth was injured already about 45 years ago. But I just started to think of the vibration of the body. Not only the reed is vibrating. It is probably weak, but direct to bone.

Anyway you are probably right. Still going to talk with dentist.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Zimmermann on February 22, 2012 at 7:05am

But the teeth are not to my knowledge perfectly solidly attached to the bones, and no matter what the resonance is, I have never heard of harmonic vibration shattering bone or enamel, or they'd already have invented a sonic weapon that pulverizes enemies' skeletons...
I hear what you're saying. Do tell us what the tooth professional tells you. This is very interesting.
And of course I hope you find that you will still be able to play another 20+ years. ;)

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