Saws and Cigar-Box Guitars

@JudyEv (341822)
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 These were originally made from a cigar-box.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 (72516)
• 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
@JudyEv (341822)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Apr 16
There are so many different instruments nowadays. I don't know all of them and sometimes I get them muddled anyway as there are so many.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72516)
• Philippines
19 Apr 16
@JudyEv I just know a few like guitars, piano, violin... lol
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (341822)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Apr 16
@toniganzon Folk musicians make up all sorts of weird and wonderful stringed instruments.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317249)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
18 Apr 16
That's exciting. No, I haven't seen guitar box guitars, and the only place I've seen saws played is on youtube. It must have been a great concert at your place.
2 people like this
@just4him (317249)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
19 Apr 16
@JudyEv That must have been special. Happy Birthday to him.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (341822)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Apr 16
@just4him Thanks. He says 'thanks' too!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (341822)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Apr 16
Yes thanks. We really enjoyed it. Jaxon played 'Happy Birthday' to Vince on the saw so that was pretty special.
1 person likes this
@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 (341822)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Apr 16
They have us very good value and our audience were very appreciative.
1 person likes this
@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
20 Apr 16
No never seen such guitars before. Aren't people inventive?
2 people like this
@JudyEv (341822)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Apr 16
Some seem to be able to make instruments out of anything.
@Lucky15 (37374)
• Philippines
19 Apr 16
Quite interesting, haven't seen one though :)
2 people like this
@JudyEv (341822)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Apr 16
We enjoyed hearing the different instruments.
1 person likes this
• 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
@JudyEv (341822)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Apr 16
Maybe you saw the same program that @Raelove saw. Last year there was a band whose entire set of instruments were made from gourds. And the guys who drum using the big fuel drums are good too.
• 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 (223720)
• 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 (341822)
• 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.
• Preston, England
18 Apr 16
impressive array of instruments - your concerts sound incredble
2 people like this
@JudyEv (341822)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Apr 16
We like to think they're good but of course it depends on the musicians who come. Mostly seem to be very talented and mostly play more than instrument.
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111938)
• United States
18 Apr 16
that is interesting there on the guitar.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (341822)
• 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
@JudyEv (341822)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Apr 16
At least they're a bit smaller than a regular bass.
1 person likes 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
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
19 Apr 16
@JudyEv yes me too....
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (341822)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Apr 16
I love the sound of the saw. Awesome and eerie.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40318)
• Laguna Woods, California
23 Jun 16
Those are very unusual instruments. Fascinating.
1 person likes this
• 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 (341822)
• 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.
@JudyEv (341822)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 Jun 16
I guess it is a lot less expensive if you can concoct something up.
1 person likes this
@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
@JudyEv (341822)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Apr 16
It's an awesome sound, isn't it?
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
19 Apr 16
@JudyEv - It is. I was impressed.
1 person likes this
@Ronrybs (19588)
• London, England
19 Apr 16
Only ever seen someone play the saw on telly. Sounds a bit weird to me
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (341822)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Apr 16
It's a great sound. There are a few weird instruments out there.
1 person likes this