The Musical Saw is more than just a curious instrument - it's a unique tool for musical expression that impresses both with its unusual sound and the creative way of tone production. It may not be as well-known as guitar or piano, but that's exactly what makes it so appealing.
In this blog post, we'll take you on a journey into the world of the Musical Saw and show you why this instrument is so special.
What is a Musical Saw?
A Musical Saw is an almost ordinary saw you can make sing with just a bow or a mallet! But don't worry, you don't have to raid your toolbox. The Musical Saw is a genuine musical instrument equipped with a highly flexible saw blade. Unlike its relatives from the workshop, it's not used for sawing, but to produce beautiful, ethereal sounds.
The History of the Musical Saw
The origins of the Musical Saw go back a long way. As early as the 19th century, inventive musicians discovered that surprisingly melodious tones could be coaxed from an ordinary handsaw. The first documented use of a Musical Saw as a musical instrument dates back to 1890, when Clarence Mussehl performed with his "Musical Saw" in vaudeville shows. From there, the Musical Saw gradually conquered stages around the world.
Throughout the 20th century, the Musical Saw found its way into various music genres and cultural contexts. It was particularly valued in folk music of many countries and in early country music of the United States as an inexpensive and readily available instrument. In the 1930s and 1940s, the Musical Saw experienced a heyday in popular music, where it was used in radio broadcasts and film soundtracks to create a nostalgic or surreal atmosphere. Marlene Dietrich, the famous German-American actress and singer, contributed to the instrument's popularity by using it in some of her performances.
In the second half of the 20th century, classical composers and contemporary musicians also discovered the unique sound of the Musical Saw for themselves. Composers like Aram Khachaturian and Philip Glass integrated it into their works, helping to establish the instrument in the world of classical and avant-garde music. Artists like Tom Waits, David Coulter, and Natalia Paruz use the Musical Saw in many of their works.
Today, the Musical Saw is experiencing a renaissance in various musical contexts. It is used in indie music as well as in experimental sound installations and finds its place in film scores and theater pieces. Its versatility and distinctive sound make it a timeless instrument that is constantly being rediscovered and reinterpreted.
How does a Musical Saw work?
You might wonder how one can get music out of a saw. The secret lies in the flexibility of the metal and the playing technique. The blade of a Musical Saw is made of high-quality, elastic spring steel, making it easier to bend under tension. When you bend the blade and excite it with a horsehair bow or mallet, it begins to vibrate, creating the characteristic tones.
Its sound is often described as ethereal, ghostly, or otherworldly. It resembles that of a glass harmonica or theremin. The pitch can be varied over a range of up to four octaves, depending on the type of saw, giving the Musical Saw an amazing range.
A Beginner's Guide to Playing the Musical Saw
What appears simple at first glance turns out to be a complex interplay of technique and feeling upon closer inspection. Here's how to make the Musical Saw sing:
Preparation
Before you start playing the Musical Saw, you should properly tension the bow and rub it with rosin. This ensures that the bow has enough friction when drawing across the saw blade to set the blade vibrating and thus produce tones. This may be repeated when the friction noticeably decreases and tone production becomes more difficult. After use, it's recommended to loosen the bow again.
Holding the Saw
Find a comfortable and secure sitting position. The Musical Saw is held loosely between your knees or lower legs by the saw handle, or rests on your thigh. The teeth face towards you and the saw blade is vertical or slightly inclined forward. Your legs hold the instrument stable but should also be flexible enough to allow slight adjustments when you bend the blade or change the angle.
With your left hand, you hold the front/upper end of the saw blade and bend it slightly into an S-shape. Some Musical Saws come with a holding and bending grip ("cheat"), which makes bending the saw and varying the tension easier. The more you bend the blade, the higher the tone; with less bending, it's lower. The art lies in finding and maintaining the right bend for the desired tone.
Using the Bow
In your right hand, you hold the bow with the end pointing down. With even and gentle strokes across the smooth edge of the saw blade, you'll quickly elict the first tones from the saw. Pull the bow away quickly when the tone emerges to avoid hindering the vibration of the saw blade. The movement should be fluid and controlled. The blade can be tilted slightly forward or backward to modulate the sound. This tilt influences the vibrations of the blade.
The Sweet Spot
With some experimentation, you'll soon discover the so-called sweet spot. This refers to the place on the saw blade that produces the purest and longest-sustaining tones. However, the sweet spot moves with each change in the bend/tension. As the antinode moves through stronger bending of the saw blade, the bow must follow it.
While playing the Musical Saw, it's important to constantly keep the saw blade bent in an "S" curve and only vary the tension by tilting.
Remember: Playing the Musical Saw is an intuitive process that requires patience and practice to develop a fine sense of sound and movement.
Advanced Playing Techniques and Sound Variations
Besides stroking with the violin bow, there are other methods to elicit tones from the Musical Saw. For example, you can produce different tones by tapping on the saw blade with a mallet. Experimenting with different bows, such as a violin or cello bow, can also lead to different sound results.
Some advanced techniques like the Vibrato and Glissando give the Musical Saw its special expressiveness and versatility:
Vibrato
Vibrato is a technique where the tone is modulated by rapid, slight changes in the tension and position of the saw blade to create a "trembling" sound. This is done by quickly moving the hand holding the blade back and forth or by rocking the foot up and down. These small, repeated changes in the bending of the blade lead to a vibration of the tone, giving it more depth and expression.
Glissando
Glissando is a technique where a continuous transition between two tones is produced without the individual tones being clearly defined. On the Musical Saw, the glissando is achieved by gradually bending the blade more or less while the bow strokes over a point. This leads to a sliding tone that ascends or descends between the notes, emphasizing the gentle, mystical character of the instrument.
A trained ear is advantageous, as there are no visual cues on the saw, such as keys or holes, indicating the position of the tones. A digital tuner can be particularly helpful at the beginning to determine the tone being played.
Patience and Practice: The Path to Mastery
At first, it may be difficult to produce clean tones, and the first attempts might sound more like a nerve-wracking saw or the sounds of a ghost train. But with time, you'll be able to play clear melodies and exploit the full potential of the Musical Saw.
Another step in the learning process is listening to pieces of music where the Musical Saw plays a prominent role. This helps to develop a better understanding of the sound characteristics and expressive possibilities of the instrument.
To make faster progress, it can be useful to take lessons from a specialized teacher. They can not only teach you the basic techniques but also show advanced playing methods that further refine your sound. In addition, there are numerous online resources from experienced players that can provide information and inspiration for the learning process.
Different Types of Musical Saws
There are different types of Musical Saws, which usually differ in their size/length, shape, material, and blade thickness. These ultimately determine the tonal range and characteristics of the instrument. And as with any other instrument, the range extends from series-produced to individually hand-crafted pieces made to your own specifications.
In addition, with the help of a built-in pickup, the produced sounds can be electronically amplified or further processed.
Maintenance of your Musical Saw
To protect your instrument from corrosion, it's important to clean it thoroughly after each use. This can be done with a soft, dry cotton cloth. Subsequent treatment with a suitable fine oil (e.g., Ballistol) protects the saw blade from sweat and moisture. Especially when storing, you should make sure to keep the saw in a dry room, preferably in a suitable case/box.
Strong temperature fluctuations, direct sunlight, and bending outside of playing should be avoided.
An Instrument Full of Surprises
We hope this article has inspired you to explore the fascinating world of the Musical Saw. In our shop, you'll find a high-quality set that makes it easy for you to enter the world of the Musical Saw.
Do you have questions about the Musical Saw or need help with it? Our team is happy to assist you. Just contact us through our website.
