The musical saw is a unique and unconventional instrument that has captivated listeners for over a century.

It is essentially a hand saw that is played by bending it and using a bow to produce sound, creating an eerie, otherworldly tone. Traditionally, the musical saw has been associated with circus performances, where its haunting, wailing notes were used to enhance the dramatic, whimsical, and sometimes eerie atmosphere of the shows. Its ability to produce high-pitched, tremolo-like sounds made it an ideal instrument for evoking a sense of wonder, madness, or even horror, often used in films to convey unsettling emotions.

The musical saw has been employed in numerous films to represent themes of madness, with one of its most famous uses being in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The haunting sound of the saw in this context perfectly captures the disorienting and emotional struggles of the characters, enhancing the sense of chaos and mental turmoil within the psychiatric hospital. Its distinctive tone has since become synonymous with madness and instability, making it a memorable and effective tool for filmmakers and musicians alike.

I have a musical saw of my own and am endlessly fascinated by its sound. Experimenting with it has been a rewarding journey, as it’s unlike any other instrument I’ve encountered. There’s something captivating about producing such a rich, wavering tone with something as simple as a hand saw. It’s an instrument that demands a lot of experimentation and practice to master, but the sounds it produces can be both beautiful and haunting, giving it a unique place in both traditional and contemporary music.

Sägenprofi, CC BY-SA 3.0 Sägenprofi, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons