Saws and Cigar-Box Guitars
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (339464)
Rockingham, Australia
April 18, 2016 7:15am CST
Last week, we had an indoor concert in our lounge. The two musicians, Gordie Tentrees and Jaxon Haldane, are Canadians. Between them, they played a number of instruments, the most interesting of which was the saw.
Jaxon played this. We've seen it played before from time to time. It gives a very spooky, ethereal sound. Jaxon showed Vince how to get a melody from a saw and with most things, it isn't as easy as it looks. In the photo, you can see the saw on the floor. The bow is a double-bass bow and needn't be expensive. The saw is held between the knees and bent in an S-shape by the left hand while the right wields the bow.
Also in the photo are others of Jaxon's stringed instruments. The two on the left are cigar-box guitars. These were originally made from a cigar-box. Jaxon's both have four strings. There are so many unusual instruments around now and people are continually creating new instruments from all sorts of items. Have you seen cigar-box guitars before?
29 people like this
14 responses
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
18 Apr 16
No i haven't at all. I don't even have an idea what those instruments are in the picture. Thanks for sharing and educating us.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
19 Apr 16
@JudyEv I just know a few like guitars, piano, violin... lol
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339464)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Apr 16
@toniganzon Folk musicians make up all sorts of weird and wonderful stringed instruments.
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@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
18 Apr 16
I never have heard or seen them but I can imagine this was a great show.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339464)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Apr 16
Some seem to be able to make instruments out of anything.
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
18 Apr 16
I have never seen one before, but there was a TV segment on people making instruments from trash somewhere in South America. I was impressed then, and I'm impressed now. People are so creative!
2 people like this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
20 Apr 16
@Raelove I thought so too. It really is snobbish to think you can only enjoy beautiful instruments. I believe they had been invited to the US to do a concert.
@marguicha (222756)
• Chile
18 Apr 16
I have seen several times the awesome musicians from Argentina. The group is called Les Luthiers and they make instruments from just about anything.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339464)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Apr 16
I have seen a South American band make instruments from gourds. You are quite correct in saying they can make instruments from just about anything.
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
18 Apr 16
impressive array of instruments - your concerts sound incredble
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339464)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Apr 16
It would have been quite a cheap instrument in the olden days I guess.
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
18 Apr 16
I have not, but they do look quite cool!
2 people like this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
19 Apr 16
no .... it's fascinating... I've seen a saw being played by a man in a gaither band.... and a louisianna folk band.... it sounded great....
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40288)
• Laguna Woods, California
23 Jun 16
Those are very unusual instruments. Fascinating.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40288)
• Laguna Woods, California
23 Jun 16
@JudyEv - I am always amazed when I look at historical musical instruments or instruments from other countries. It seems to me that music has been important for humans for many centuries.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339464)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Jun 16
@DeborahDiane I've seen a guy whittle a flute from a carrot and play a decent tune on it too. Amazing stuff.
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
18 Apr 16
I saw a girl play the saw in a bar once. It was really cool.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
19 Apr 16
@JudyEv - It is. I was impressed.
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