Joyful Sounds

When I was around 30, I saw an ad in a magazine for a musical saw. I remembered “Uncle Bob,” who, when I was a kid, came to our church every once in a while and played his saw. I ordered the advertised saw thinking, “I’ll bet I could make music on one of those.” The saw arrived in a couple weeks, and in about 15 minutes after  unwrapping it, I was making some screechy music. It didn't take very long to fine-tune the screeches and produce some sonorous sounds. I have performed many times and places and even won some trophies for my playing. I have been sawing off and on since then. I wrote a booklet on how to play the saw--it wasn't a best-seller.

The  joy that I experience when I play my saw defies explanation. Beyond that, what do I love about playing the saw? It’s unique, and that is enough; but there is more than that. People are often amazed when I play my saw; perhaps it is the novelty of it, but  most people genuinely enjoy it's flowing music. And, I believe the reason for that is no other sound quite resembles human whistling as the saw does. There is just something intrinsic and beautiful about music from the saw. Technically speaking the saw is not a musical instrument, it is a noise-maker, but it is a cut above all other such “found instruments.” 

Another reason I love playing the saw is its dependence upon me. A piano or violin, and I think almost every other musical instrument, has to be tuned, but not the saw. When I play the saw, I have to be tuned in order for it sounds to be sonorous. I also love the infinite (nearly) variation between one note and another; I guess in that sense the saw is an extension of me when I play it. 

Besides, who else plays the instrument that Jesus did? “Jesus played the saw?” you ask. Well, I don't know if he actually did, but I am sure that he could have if he had wanted to; he was a carpenter after all. The best thing about making music on the saw is that I can make a joyful noise to the Lord as Psalm 100 lovingly commands all of us to do in one way or another. My cup runneth over.

Years ago I heard a man tell his story of growing up in the Netherlands during World War II under German occupation. The Nazis had confiscated all musical instruments, but one man had a saw, and they used it for music in their worship gatherings in people’s basements. What is in your hand? Use it for the glory of God and find joy in your soul.