*
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    


Cross

Death of Andrew Hirst

February 9 • The young father passed away following illness.


Leeds Best of Brass

Grimethorpe set for Pudsey Valentine's appearance

February 9 • The unique brand of Grimethorpe brass band entertainment will be heard in Pudsey on Valentine's Day.


Bandstand

Radio: Bandstand

February 9 • More great music from the new brass band radio programme is being broadcast on ABC Classic in Australia.


radio

Radio: Touch of Brass

February 9 • More great music at a new time from Martin Upfold and Julie Hedges over the next two weeks.


Dobcross Silver Band - Whitburn Band

Sunday 1 February • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Oompah Brass XXL

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Phoenix Band Wakefield

February 8 • Required: B Flat and E Flat Bass players.. A friendly, welcoming, non competing community band in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. We enjoy entertaining and making music. Our MD is Mark Bray. Rehearsals on Fridays 7 - 8.30 at Manygates Centre, Wakefield,WF2 7DQ


Welwyn Garden City Band

February 5 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band. We have vacancies for a FRONT ROW CORNET player and PERCUSSIONISTS. Our MD is Will Douglas and we rehearse in Welwyn Garden City on Sunday evenings from 7.00-9.00pm.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

February 4 • Our inclusive non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, has vacancies for: . . Solo Cornet. Soprano Cornet. 2/3 Cornet.


Jason M Smith


Band Trainer (Contest Preparation), Conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd