Morsing
Morsing
Morsing (Morching), is a metallic (percussion) instrument. It consists of a frame made of a metal ring with two parallel protruding forks. A metal tongue is fixed at the circular section of the frame between the two forks allowing it to vibrate at one end. The tip of the tongue, near the free end, is bent to a circular ring so that it can be struck and is made to vibrate.
The Morsing is held firmly by the ring in one hand and placed gently between the teeth. Care should be taken to ensure the metal tongue does not make contact with the forks, this may occur when the forks are pressed tightly by the teeth or when the hand accidentally strikes the fork instead of the tongue.
The bent tip (trigger) is struck with the index finger of the other hand in a motion towards the face to produce the sound. The different sounds and overtones are produced by the movement of the player tongue, vibrations of the throat and blowing and sucking of air through the instrument. Movement of the players tongue (i.e. reciting the syllables or Solkattu) with the constant plucking produces very intricate and fast patterns of sound.
Each instrument has a unique pitch which can only be varied slightly. The pitch can only be reduced and not increased. A small amount of wax or tack is applied to the circular ring of the bent tip, i.e. the plucking end, to reduce the pitch a little.
It is vital for a Morsing player (Morsingist) to have a profound knowledge in the syllables, known as Solkattul, of the instrument and to be able to recognise what is being played on the Miruthangam. The vocal art of reciting the notes played on the Miruthangam is called Konnakol, and in theory is what the Morsing player is doing.
Metal tongue with the tip bent into a circular ring to form a trigger. This when struck causes the tongue to vibrate.
The circular frame with two protruding forks. This allows the sound to resonate when the tongue is struck.