
November 7, 2026
Workshop
Mongolian Jaw Harps Workshop
Discover Three Traditional Mongolian Jaw Harps at Altai Cultural Center, Groningen (Netherlands) • Led by Mongolian jaw harp master Beatbox Ray


Join us for an inspiring day dedicated to one of Mongolia's most fascinating musical traditions. During this hands-on workshop, you'll discover three different traditional Mongolian jaw harps, each with its own distinctive sound, playing technique, and musical character.
Under the guidance of Beatbox Ray, one of Mongolia's pioneering beatbox artists and founder of the Mongolian Ethnic Jaw Harp Players Association, you'll learn the fundamentals of playing the iron jaw harp, bamboo jaw harp, and the unique Mongolian bow harp. Throughout the day, Ray will also perform a selection of his own musical pieces, demonstrating the remarkable versatility and expressive possibilities of these traditional instruments.
Whether you've never touched a jaw harp before or already have some musical experience, this workshop is designed to be accessible, interactive, and above all: enjoyable!
Throughout this full-day workshop, participants will explore the basics of all three traditional Mongolian jaw harps through practical exercises, demonstrations, and group playing sessions. Beatbox Ray will introduce essential playing techniques, breathing, rhythm, and the characteristic sounds of each instrument.
What makes this workshop truly unique is Beatbox Ray's innovative musical approach. Alongside traditional techniques, he will demonstrate how modern beatbox can be combined with jaw harp playing, opening up exciting new creative possibilities. Experimenting with rhythm, vocal percussion, and traditional sounds makes for a playful, inspiring, and unforgettable experience.
To make the experience even more special, every participant will receive three authentic Mongolian instruments to take home:

Beatbox Ray (Narandelger Byambaa) is one of Mongolia's pioneering beatbox artists and the founder of both the Mongolian National Beatbox Association and the Mongolian Ethnic Jaw Harp Players Association. His unique performances combine beatbox with traditional Mongolian jaw harps and other indigenous instruments, creating a distinctive musical style that bridges ancient traditions and contemporary music. As both a performer and teacher, he has represented Mongolia at festivals and cultural events throughout Asia and Europe.

Rowan became fascinated by the music of Mongolia around 2006 at the age of seventeen. Soon after, he traveled to Mongolia to explore the country and its culture more deeply. Since then, Mongolian music and traditions have become an inseparable part of his daily life. In 2014, he married Saran, and together they have worked ever since on their shared dream: introducing Mongolian culture and music to Europe through Altai.