*
banner

How to play the C saw...

Strata Brass tuba player Charles Hindmarsh lets rip a version of 'On Ilkla Moor baht' at' on the famous Yorkshire moor...

Saw
  All the notes are sharp...

Strata Brass tuba player and violinist Charles Hindmarsh plays an unique rendition of 'On Ilkla Moor baht' at' on the famous hillside near Ilkley in West Yorkshire.

Charles uses a violin bow on the and saw to create a musical sound was first used in Victorian music hall acts and which provided entertainment around the world in communities as far afield as Alaska and New Zealand.

Unique sound

The IT manager from Horsforth, West Yorkshire, plays violin in local amateur orchestras as well as with Strata Brass and told photographer Lorne Campbell: "It's an interesting and unique sound, and I've been invited to many bizarre engagements to play the instrument."

Charles has played the saw since he was 10, added: "It's a concert pitch C saw, although oddly all the notes are sharp…

You really have to watch your fingers."

Picture: Lorne Campbell/Guzelian

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


NABBA

America looks at benefits of a slimmer musical diet

June 9 • The North American Brass Band Championships are considering new timing considerations for own-choice test-pieces at National Championships.


James MacmIllan

Monarch honours MacMillan

June 9 • Composer Sir James Macmillan becomes a member of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle.


BrwookWright

BrookWright Music launches Solo Contest

June 9 • Leading music publisher launches bespoke solo competition for all brass instruments


Boax

Boax adds to Cory strength

June 9 • The Welsh champion continues to strengthen its ranks with the arrival of new solo baritone player Charlie Boax.


Regent Hall Concerts - Take 5 Brass Quintet

Friday 12 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Sherborne Town Band - Celebrating the Music of Malcolm Bennett

Sunday 14 June • Venue-Mark Village Hall, Vole Road, Mark-TA9 4NY. . TA9 4NY


Barnsley Brass - Black Dyke Band

Thursday 25 June • St Mary's Church. Church Street. Barnsley S70 2AH


Regent Hall Concerts - Junior Guildhall Brass Band

Friday 26 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Royal Sackbut Collective

Friday 26 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Crewe Brass

June 5 • Crewe Brass are looking for PERCUSSION PLAYERS (TUNED and KIT) to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Glossop Old Band

June 5 • Our friendly second section band are looking for a BB bass player to join us for contests, concerts and exciting new projects. Glossop Old Band is situated between Manchester and Sheffield and rich in history


Dodworth Colliery MW Brass Band

June 4 • BACK ROW CORNET 2nd/3rd cornet. . NEMBBA contest entered for 15 November. LBBA contest entered for 22 November. . Concert schedule planned in advance. Planned breaks .


David Hirst

MA, B.Ed (Hons), LTCL
Conductor, adjudicator and arranger


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd