L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2025 www.italoamericano.org 14 L'Italo-Americano C hances are that, if you watched a movie set in Sici- ly, you unknow- ingly heard the unmistakable, twangy sound of the scacciapensieri . Small and unassuming, it is known as "jaw harp" or "Jew's harp" in English, a n d p r o d u c e s a m e t a l l i c vibration that is both rhyth- mic and quite hypnotic. Scac- ciapensieri has been a staple of Sicilian folk music for cen- turies, to the point that it is difficult to hear it playing and not think of sunbaked land- scapes and cicadas singing somewhere in the Sicilian inlands. W h i l e i t s p r e s e n c e i n movies sparked curiosity, the s c a c c i a p e n s i e r i c a r r i e s a much deeper cultural and historical significance. Although we mostly associate it with Sicily, it is actually an ancient instrument with non- Italian origins; in fact, simi- lar instruments have been found in archaeological sites across Asia and Europe, with some dating back over 2,000 years; variations of the jaw harp have been played in cultures as diverse as Mon- golia, China, and Austria, each with its own unique n a m e a n d c o n s t r u c t i o n methods. In Italy, the instrument found a particularly strong foothold in Sicily, where it became an essential part of folk music. Its name, "scac- ciapensieri" — which roughly translates to "thought chas- er" or "worry banisher" — comes from the ancient belief that playing or listening to it could help clear the mind and lift the spirit. It was tra- ditionally played by shep- herds, travelers, and street musicians, and offered a sort of simple, meditative enter- tainment. Over time, it became part of the very cultural fabric of the island, a symbol of both musical tradition and per- sonal expression. How does the scaccia- pensieri work? At first glance, the scac- ciapensieri seems to be noth- ing more than a small, horse- shoe-shaped piece of metal with a flexible reed in the center. However, don't be fooled by its simple design, because the variety and com- plexity of sounds that can be produced with it are quite astonishing. The instrument is held between the teeth, with the lips lightly touching the metal frame. The player then plucks the central reed w i t h a f i n g e r , c r e a t i n g a vibrating sound that passes through the mouth and nasal cavities. By altering the shape of the mouth and controlling breathing, players can modi- fy the pitch and timbre of the sound, producing a surpris- ing range of musical effects. But, unlike most traditional instruments, the scacciapen- sieri does not produce a fixed melody on its own, instead, the performer manipulates overtones to create rhythmic, almost trance-like patterns, w h i c h m a k e s i t a h i g h l y expressive instrument. The scacciapensieri in Sicilian tradition Throughout history, the scacciapensieri carried sym- bolic and cultural meanings in Sicilian society: it was often played in moments of solitude, particularly by farm- ers and shepherds passing the time in the countryside. Its melancholic sound lent itself to moments of intro- spection, but it was also used in celebrations, particu- larly during village festi- vals where folk music and dance were central. Scaccia- pensieri was sometimes asso- ciated with r o m a n c e , as young men would play it to serenade their sweethearts; in other cases, it was believed to possess almost mystical qualities, with some tradi- tions linking it to spells and folk healing. It had a dual role — as both a personal com- panion for quiet reflection and a tool for public perfor- mance, which helped solidify its place in Sicilian culture. However, despite its his- torical significance, the scac- ciapensieri began to decline in popularity in the 20th cen- tury as modern instruments and music styles took over. In recent decades, though, there has been a revival of interest in traditional Sicilian music, w h i c h l e d t o a r e n e w e d appreciation for this very spe- cial little instrument. The scacciapensieri and modernity Advancing our Legacy: Italian Community Services CASA FUGAZI If you know of any senior of Italian descent in San Francisco needing assistance, please contact: ItalianCS.org | (415) 362-6423 | info@italiancs.com Italian Community Services continues to assist Bay Area Italian-American seniors and their families navigate and manage the resources needed to live healthy, independent and productive lives. Since Shelter-in-Place began in San Francisco, Italian Community Services has delivered over 240 meals, over 900 care packages and made over 2000 phone wellness checks for our seniors. This is how the scaccia- pensieri has found its way into more contemporary gen- res: in Sicily, musicians dedi- cated to preserving regional traditions continue to incor- porate it into performances, but its hypnotic sound has also attracted experimental and world music artists, who have blended it with elec- tronic and ambient composi- tions. Internationally, the i n s t r u m e n t h a s m a d e appearances in film sound- t r a c k s , o f t e n t o e v o k e a n exotic or mysterious atmos- phere. More than anything, we may remember its unmis- takable twang in Spaghetti W e s t e r n s , w h e r e i t w a s used to set the mood of vast, arid landscapes. S c a c c i a p e n s i e r i around Italy … and the world Although Sicily is its most famous home in Italy, varia- tions of the scacciapensieri can be found in other regions under different names. In Calabria, for instance, it is k n o w n a s t h e m a r r a n - zanu, while in other parts of southern Italy, it goes by s i m i l a r l o c a l t e r m s ; a n d t h o u g h t h e b a s i c p l a y i n g technique remains the same, regional differences in shape, size, and material can slightly alter the sound and playing experience. Outside of Italy, jaw harps exist in many cultures, each with its own specific playing s t y l e . I n M o n g o l i a , f o r example, the instrument — called the khöömii —is used with throat singing, to create a unique fusion of vocal and instrumental melodies. Clos- er to Italy, in Austria and Germany, it is known as the Maultrommel and has been part of Alpine folk music for centuries. Scacciapensieri: the enchanting Sicilian jaw harp with a hypnotic, timeless sound FRANCESCA BEZZONE LIFE PEOPLE PLACES HERITAGE TRADITIONS A scacciapensieri. While especially associated with Sicily, the instrument is used also in other parts of Southern Italy and in other countries, too (Photo: Capitanonemo/Dreamstime)

• Cover