Everyone has something to learn, everyone has something to teach.
Having completed a degree in music I then worked in Higher Education, but
taught the violin and tuba privately. I played with a number of orchestras and
regularly play in premiership brass band. The musical saw started off as a
party piece during my time at University. However over time the demand for it has increased and I reguarly play at events across the country, carry out musical saw workshops for music festivals and corporate events and provide lessons for beginners or players who just want to improve.
You can see me in action for a corporate Christmas function at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J68ByZ-5jn0
I also own the UK's only musical site dedicated to playing the musical saw. Please see http://playthesaw.co.uk/
Over the years I have played for a number of events. Some of these have been quite unusual, like playing in a skip outside Belfast City Hall (SKIP Festival - Catalyst Arts), but others include formal concerts and charity concerts. I've been accompanied by the Lindley Band, the Yorkshire Evening Post Band, Guisley Male Voice choir and various painists/organists.
Most recently I've appeared at the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Buxton, Queens College Cambridge, The Broadstairs Folk week and played at charity events in Yorkshire.
I have also performed for the BBC music Live in 2000 and again in 2001 as well as numerous local radio performances.
Yes you can play almost any cross cut saw, although there are additional risks of playing a saw with sharp teeth. A musical saw either has fake teeth or no teeth at all and is much more flexible than one from your local shop.
No... you play on the smoth side of the blade which is just like playing a cello string.
I can provide musical saw workshops which aims to to start off interested musicians, or would be musicians, in playing the saw. The most recent of these events include the Broadstairs Folk week and a workshop for Bradford City Council.
This is usually a light hearted session over a period of 1 to 2 hours where the students can have a go at basic techniques using a selection of my saws. The general aim is to try and play a well known tune by the end of the session.
It is not recommended for very young children, but teenagers and above usually have alot of fun learning.
I can provide a one to one lesson(s) with the aim of developing a musical saw playing technique.
In some cases I provided a taster session where the basic skills are covered and then the player is left to develop further. In other cases a more structured learning process over several weeks has been used.
I can also provide a free online taster lesson using the video conferencing tools of SKYPE. You will require a computer connected to a broadband service (or better) with a microphone, webcam and a SKYPE user account. Times will have to be negotiated with me in advance (see my web site for details)
I'm playing in the Paxton Theatre at Buxton(UK) on Saturday the 16th of August at 3:00pm. I'd be happy to meet other saw players or would be saw players in the bar afterwards.
August 1-3rd - The "BFEST" in the lake district in aid of the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team.
August 14th - The Market Place -Knaresborough Festival of Entertainment and Visual Arts
Please see my site for more details.
