musical saw

American  

noun

1. a handsaw played as a musical instrument with a violin bow or a hammer while the saw is bent with varying tension to change the pitch.

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Etymology

Origin of musical saw

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

musical saw

With Leftie and Lonnie en route to the cabin, the score pulses with what sounds like a ticking time bomb, plus something like an eerie musical saw for some extra shivers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 28, 2025

Instruments involved: In New York City, Natalia Paruz is a professional bell ringer, musical saw player and occasional harpist.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 6, 2023

She later roughed it out with other G.I.s sleeping in frosty dugouts near the front lines where she would sing and play a musical saw.

From Fox News ● Dec. 4, 2020

Mr. Cha-Beach, meanwhile, marshaled an eclectic array of instruments including a bellows reed organ and a musical saw.

From New York Times ● Jul. 31, 2016

Could Mr. Smiley’s musical saw be a genuine Wonder of Sassafras Springs?

From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney