My Story as it relates to the Musical Saw
Until recently, I have had a strong, clear singing voice ranging from the upper register of second tenor to bass baritone.For many years, I attended Unity Church, where I met a man named Henry who also had a very pleasant tenor singing voice. We would often sit together during the services. At some point we noticed the same group of people sitting close to us. Eventually we figured out that people enjoyed listening to us sing together. Henry performed as the lead singer in the Sunshine Skiffle Band. They had a regular Saturday gig at a French Restaurant named Jacque’s. Henry invited me to sit in with the band and sing a couple of tunes.I was sitting at the bar when the band took a break when the saw player approached me and asked me if I wanted to learn how to play the saw. He explained that he was terminally ill and desperately wanted to find someone to replace him in the band.He seemed elated when I agreed to try it. The following week he showed me how to bend and bow the saw and a couple of weeks later he passed away. I went in search of a musical saw. I called several music stores. The universal response was that they could order one. It would take several months. And the cost would be $100. One day, I walked into a tool store in Manassas VA and noticed a brand new “Stradivarius” saw hanging on the wall. The sales clerk noticed me holding the saw and advised me that it was a musical instrument an would not be good for cutting. When I inquired about the price, he quickly responded $35.00 and followed up with a $5.00 price reduction. I quickly paid him and left. Learning to play the saw was a harrowing experience. The sound has been compared to the noise made by tying two cats together by their tails and throwing them over a clothes line. This is painful for both the artist and anyone within a 50 to 100-foot radius. I was forced to wear headphones to protect my ears from being destroyed by the awful screeching noise generated by the bow caressing that hateful blade. Whenever I began to practice everyone in my family just left the house and did not return until they were quite sure I had finished. Being a unique instrument, the musical saw has put me in some interesting situations. On a couple occasions, I have been asked to play the saw in unusual circumstances. Once, I tried to carry the saw onto an airplane. The inspector asked me what was in the case. When I told him, he demanded that I show it to him and then play a tune. I looked back at the line of people who were taking notice, they all nodded their approval. They gave me a standing ovation when I finished playing. (Well, actually, if I am being completely honest, they were already standing in the line.) Another time. I was asked to play my saw by a lady while riding the DC metro. The result was the same; I looked around at the other passengers who all nodded their approval, and showed their appreciation with a robust round of applause. Over the years, the list of performers in the Sunshine Skiffle Band has changed. Some have aged out and passed on to the greater musical jam in the sky. Others have moved on, or moved away. Many of the musicians play with other bands. We only do one gig each year as the Sunshine Skiffle Band, which is the “Glen Echo Folk Festival”. Every year, the performers on the stage are a combination of familiar and unfamiliar faces. I suppose that one day, I will be looking for someone to fill my seat and play the Musical Saw. For the present “I am taking my music to the streets”. I hope to see you out there!