Secrets of the Saw

This is a video of how to start playing the musical saw. It can be done with a saw from a DIY shop and a cheap violin bow and some rosin. Total outlay probably less than £30.00. all it takes beyond that is time and patience to figure out where the notes are on the saw, and how much to bend it, and practice to get a good tone.

[@oliver-tc2os]

I am writing about the musical saw for a school project, I just wanted to say thank you for this video. It is very informative, thank you for sharing your love of the musical saw!

[@kenthesawman]

Hello Priyadarshi. The purpose of the video was to show how you can play on a cheap saw from a hardware store. In the uk it is difficult to buy more than a 22 inch saw in a hardware store. To get a longer saw you need to buy a specialist musical saw which costs considerably more money. Thanks for your interest in my video

[@MeduotasMedutis]

This is absolutely brilliant. I can't believe that I am seriously considering buying a saw to play music on it :D My grandpa and me dad used to say "play something on that saw boy" and I always took it as a joke and here I am more than 20years later realizing that you indeed can play music on saw. Fantastic

[@kenthesawman]

@@MeduotasMedutis go for it Aldigiras. As you can see, it’s not expensive and not too difficult but you do need to stick at it and persevere. try playing to backing tracks to keep the pitch right after you have learned a few simple tunes like nursery rhymes. Good luck.

[@masondicroce917]

Thank you for the very nice informative video, I really enjoyed the saw playing in the band Nuetral Milk Hotel by Julian Koster, so both his playing your video has inspired me to give the saw a try!

[@spike55151]

I love you! I’m sending my love from America. Your sinuous waves are so enchanting and I appreciate your spreading of the art! You honor all of us amateur saw players!

[@rockcottagestudios]

Thanks Ken, good tip about the rosin!!

[@zoelockard6326]

Ken - Thank you! This was super inspirational and makes me want to dive into the saw. I have seen a saw player work with a rapper in upstate new york a year ago and this makes me want to experiment even more. I look forward to getting that 60 £ saw in the near future. Thank you again! Hope all is well!

[@kenthesawman]

Hi Zoe. Glad you liked the video and thanks for the positive comments. Good luck with the saw.

[@harryjackson4759]

Thanks for the video and tips about handle.

[@jrundrundhovde6911]

Great video. Both informative and inspirational! Thanks

[@uknow7236]

Brilliantly done 👍🏻

[@kenthesawman]

Thanks

[@michaeldinkins9145]

Thank you for the instructions

[@claudevilleneuve8861]

That was a great demonstration! Someone just lent me a real musical saaw that his father bought in Paris a long time ago for $ 500. CDN I'm glad you mentioned about sanding the block of rosin because the one I have is shiny and it didn'twork. I'll go get a piece of sand paper and try it. I'm looking forward to trying it. Thanks !

[@kenthesawman]

Claude Villeneuve pleased you found it helpful Claude

[@eqx7168]

I live in rural Central PA. In 4th grade a big bearded dude came to an assembly and played the saw. I about shit myself. It was incredible

[@valeraashcraft8640]

Thank you!🥰🥰🥰

[@kenthesawman]

I have never used a handle on my saws but you can make a simple handle from a piece of dowel and cutting a slot into it for the tip of the saw to fit into

[@GeorgeS1958]

Brilliant - thanks for the lesson!

[@kenthesawman]

Hi to Amir f Wishing you success with the saw. Just keep trying to get those notes out of it. It takes a while but you will get it in the end. Good luck and happy sawing.

[@rodneywelch3556]

Very informative! I'm gonna try it!!❤️

[@MusicalSawMen]

Great video !

[@JesseP.Watson]

Nice 'touch' Ken, hope you're still at it. Thanks.

[@mohamedhatem2742]

Thanks Mr Ken

[@robinisademon]

Hi Ken Thank you for the video, it is very helpful! Do you happen to have any advice regarding handles for saws? My saw is not very flexible, and it's killing my fingers.

[@stevenj7673]

Love It

[@kenthesawman]

Thanks Steven

[@leeanncotrone8369]

Awesome thank you never SAW this befaw

[@AnniRummler]

Sehr gut erklärt,aber leider nicht auf Deutsch

[@Yamari1]

i thought he was gonna teach me how to chop up a body but this is cool anyway...

[@kenthesawman]

😀😀😀

[@andrewbrown6251]

Prayer stifles musical saw more easily than any other instrument

[@florecitaycebollitaclowns5075]

Hello friend! Sorry about my English. I have a question. How can I clean the top of the saw after several times of playing music. Does it change the sound of it? Thank you sir.

[@kenthesawman]

Hello Florecita, I clean the top of my saw with kitchen cleaner spray. It cleans the finger marks off the metal. Only do it occasionally and I don’t clean the playing edge of the saw as the coating of rosin from the bow helps with the playing. It does not seem to affect the tone as far as I can hear. It is purely for cosmetic reasons that I clean it.
You may get more information if you join the group. Musical saw players on Facebook. facebook.com/groups/musicalsaw/?ref=share

[@kenthesawman]

Hello studio stupid. Good luck with your saw playing. Hope you enjoy it.

[@uknow7236]

Brilliantly done 👍🏻