The musical saw, also known as the singing saw, is a flexible hand saw played with a bow to produce an ethereal, voice-like tone reminiscent of the theremin.
Its haunting slides and unique timbre have made it a fascinating, albeit niche, musical instrument across folk traditions, vaudeville, and even contemporary classical music.
The musical saw is believed to have originated in the early 19th century in the Appalachian Mountains of the United States, when inventive musicians discovered that bowing a carpenter's saw could produce sustained, eerie tones. Around the same time, similar discoveries were made in Europe, where folk performers experimented with bending and bowing saw blades. Its portability and novelty made it popular in rural communities and traveling shows.
By the early 20th century, the instrument's popularity had spread beyond folk traditions into vaudeville theaters. In 1919, the American company Mussehl & Westphal began producing purpose-built musical saws, designed with thinner steel and longer blades to enhance resonance and playability.
The musical saw reached its heyday in the 1920s and 1930s, particularly in vaudeville acts, where its ghostly sound captivated audiences. Its popularity declined during World War II, when steel was diverted to wartime production and many performers enlisted in the war. However, the instrument experienced revivals in folk festivals, experimental music circles, and film soundtracks throughout the 20th century.
Although it is often associated with folk and novelty acts, the musical saw has appeared in serious classical and contemporary works. Examples include George Crumb's Ancient Voices of Children, which uses the saw for its otherworldly timbre, and John Corigliano's The Mannheim Rocket, featuring saw passages for dramatic effect. Works by Lera Auerbach, including her Piano Concerto and Nyx - Fractured Dreams, where the saw adds a surreal sonic layer. The musical saw has also been used in opera excerpts, jazz arrangements, and film scores, demonstrating its versatility.
Musicians known for their work with the musical saw include Natalia Paruz (Saw Lady), David Coulter, and Homer Ledford. Historical figures, such as Marlene Dietrich, occasionally performed on the saw, adding glamour to its vaudeville act.
While unconventional, the musical saw remains a testament to the ingenuity of turning everyday objects into vehicles of musical expression.
We have included some online resources for additional information and instruction on the musical saw below. E-commerce sites offering instruments for sale may be found in our Musical Instruments category.
Recommended Resources
International Musical Saw Association
The IMSA is an organization for people who play and celebrate the musical (singing) saw. It originated from the California Saw Players Association and now organizes events, provides memberships, and offers resources for saw players worldwide. The organization presents the California Musical Saw Festival held at Roaring Camp in Felton, California. The website features the festival program, photo galleries, event schedules, and other activities. Membership details are provided.
http://www.sawplayers.org/
Katharina Micada is a professional musical saw (also known as a singing saw) player and performer. The official website presents her biography, media, repertoire, lessons, recordings, and contact data. Her primary instrument is a musical saw, referred to as a Singende Säge, and she participates in concert performances, recordings, teaching, and media appearances. Concert programs and a varied repertoire are listed on the site, including material suited for concerts and other events.
https://www.singende-saege.com/en/
Maintained by Natalia Paruz, also known as the "Saw Lady," who has spent two decades bringing the rare art form of playing music on a carpenter's saw, known as the musical saw or singing saw, to audiences around the world. The website features her biography, along with royalty-free musical saw music and remote recording services for media projects. Other resources include albums/tracks, credits, and press quotes referencing her work. Licensing information is provided.
https://musicalsawmusic.com/
Natalia Paruz, known as the Saw Lady, is a professional musical saw soloist who has spent decades performing worldwide, bringing the rare art of the singing saw to mainstream audiences. Her career highlights are featured on the website, including major venues, orchestras, television, radio, film soundtracks, and movie appearances. Her recordings, honors, and recognitions are also highlighted, along with full credits, media, and contact information, including a contact form.
https://sawlady.com/
As a resource for musical saw enthusiasts, Saw Notes is an online resource for the singing saw community featuring blog posts, a calendar of events, how-to articles, history pieces, and resources for players and fans. Its blog includes history articles, player spotlights, technique and practice advice, and event coverage. The calendar features listings for saw festivals and other community events, with submissions accepted, along with other guest contributions. Contact details are provided.
https://sawnotes.com/
Tim Martin (Tim the Saw Man) is a musician who plays the musical saw and runs the site to share recordings, videos, events, tutorials, and resources aimed at reviving the singing saw tradition. Videos, event information, including details about Florida SawFest, contact information, and plans for tutorials to teach simple saw-playing techniques are provided, to preserve and promote the musical saw, which was popular in the early 1900s, and to encourage others to play.
https://thesawman.org/
Singing Saw with Cedrick is a personal website for Cedrick Babef, a musical saw player and composer based in Panama. The website highlights his experience, multilingual availability (English, French, Spanish), background in violin training, and interest in teaching, composition, and saw accompaniment. The site also features learning resources and tutorials for playing the singing saw, sample music and recordings, contact information, and an informative blog.
https://singing-saw.com/
Violet Walker is a musical saw player who performs vintage tunes, jazz, and classical pieces using a carpenter's saw and a cello bow, producing tones that range from soprano to alto. She plays the musical saw as her current passion, having studied violin, guitar, French horn, and voice. With over 25 years of performing experience, she has worked as a children's entertainer and appeared at museums, gallery openings, street performances, churches, hospitals, and in ensembles.
https://violetsaws.com/
