Segata quasi una fantasia (Gedan, Jörg)

Obwohl das Instrument darum nicht wirklich ernst zu nehmen ist, haben es einige Komponisten für besondere Klangwirkungen gelegentlich eingesetzt (z.B. Schostakowitsch in der Oper "Die Nase"), und es gibt einige durchaus seriöse Musiker, die es spielen. In Kalifornien existiert sogar eine "International Musical Saw Association". Die berühmteste Spielerin aber dürfte wohl Marlene Dietrich gewesen sein, die ihre Säge bei Auftritten für die amerikanischen Truppen immer dabei hatte.

"Sonata" means "sound piece, playing piece", "Segata" means "saw piece". The musical saw is an instrument whose high sound (g1-c4) is produced by playing a sawblade with a violin bow. Since the pitch is modified by bending and tensioning the blade, it is almost impossible to play sequences of notes without portamento, which gives the sound its whining character. Although the instrument is not really to be taken seriously, some composers have occasionally used it for special sound effects (e.g. Shostakovich in the opera "The Nose"), and there are some serious musicians who play it. There is even an "International Musical Saw Association" in California. The most famous player, however, was probably Marlene Dietrich, who always had her saw with her when she performed for the American troops.