Austin Blackburn plays 'Ave Maria' on musical saw

[MrRainbox1000]

The pianist should go to music shool

[ToXicAnimosity]

:O *eye twitches* what in the high hells, its cool. but i have to ask what inspired you, to sit down,take a saw hammer,and violin bow, and try to play music....i need to know.

[redarmy126]

Wow that was amazing love this piece

[dustwillkese]

hey do you think he could play train train by blackfoot

[MehrunesDrakor]

thumbs up if you knew this song before Hitman: Blood Money and don't get me wrong, i love the hitman series :)

[MrWeekend123]

I actually find this beautiful in a strange way..

[suhpc82]

HITMAN - BLOOD MONEY

[fraroc]

At times it does sound like a traditional violin or cello.

[RezzaNL]

O.o it speaks. xD

[ChazzMetal]

Lol any others love Hitman: Blood Money as much as I do?

[13XxAlucardxX13]

Wait i think i heard this song on OMG HITMAN BLOOD MONEY EP1C

[moquetegarcia]

O.O -no wonder to say just to beautifully weird-

[themarcus7775]

Simon Cowell made 9 accounts to dislike this

[sdjnwhyNZ]

@themarcus7775 Yes, 9 accounts are agree with Simon Cowell. ;P

[MrOutcast744]

instead of saying instrument just say this is a back wood redneck playing with his saw his daddy got him for xmas XD

[rastikras]

nice flippers

[raix250]

he isnt asian o.O

[edsterific]

AHH!! This was in rainbow six 3 :P

[BabyEater9000]

my god this is quite something!

[Guinepigsrock]

amazing

[arnelsingto]

9 people got slaped by saw on their face

[INDYOSKARS]

AVE MARIA GRATIA PLENA !

[TheScottypom]

A bit flat but wonderfully played!. Thank you for posting here. :)

[unwell333]

the original kills me, but this...there really are no words. What an amazing performance. I cried the moment I saw the title of the video.

[petkovmarin]

i can't understand those 9 people

[GlaciesIncendia]

Imagine the first person to say "im going to play a song on my cat guts strapped to wood".

[PTAzores]

Aleluia!!

[aplayaz2000]

you get a piece that you can probably never get from a voice

only from, the saw

[3mh97]

A deadly weapon playing peaceful music... FANTASTIC!!!!!!!

[JackHighlander]

@3mh97 haha, yeah. they shall beat their saws into violins!

[krv5kqfn]

Aaaaaveee Mariiiiiiaaaaa!

[moppettshow]

Let's get the comb and paper out too.

[t0f0b0]

This made a 31-year-old man cry. Namely me.

[MrSonbole]

HITMAN blood money Music  <3

[OntDinRS]

legend of zelda, lon lon ranch anyone?

[flintstake]

wow. i like it. no sheet music for that sucker tho, eh. ha!

[ElChorizoman]

He's playing a fucking saw, that's smart. What you know about that saw Vivaldi ? haters gon hate

[bobdude17]

Heavenly sounds!

[MikeyHere97]

Perfect lullaby. Just, perfect. I love this.

[watcherjohnny]

Bravo!!

[tocadaz1984]

Wow beatiful !!!

[olmmbill]

Truly amazing.

[yawmuhsify]

amazing. i've got goose bumps. definitely learning to play this instrument.

[CnoelBB]

beatiful and cheap!

[nwijesinghe]

shaking the right leg produces vibrato!!! this is pure frikkin genius!!...

[othich]

FUCK SIMON COWELL!!!!

[LifesonFan4Life]

@othich .. my sentiment exactly .. he's a fucking moron that promotes mediocrity over real talent !!!

[sanopaid]

oh my god this is beautifull!, do you use a baritone or a tenor saw? , if neither , which? please!

[Maricielo9000]

Que bellezaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!

[Missbunnydog]

9 people should meet "jigsaw".

[LFMproducoes]

beatiful a lot

[kccosuperfans]

I think this would be perfect to play Vitas's Opera 2. haha

[theguyMS]

i . . . can't believe i'm saying this, but. i . . . i . . no longer think this is a joke. austin, that was beautiful.

[aneeshjoseph1091]

woooooooooooooooooooooooooow

[abcasd1]

awesome sawloist!!! :DDD

[artman40]

Now imagine someone playing Flight of the Bumblebee with this instrument.

[Markmcx926]

@artman40 LOL

I laughed so hard, THANK YOU!

[cactus445566]

@artman40 watch?v=aep7Jy_zSxE

[FilmComposeRaHoppe]

@artman40 But for that purpose I would retitle that piece :D to "Flight of the Mosquito" ;D

[DoctorRainbow8321]

that sound is purely intoxicating

[SOCKCOCK1]

I'm a bespoke bench carpenter and brick vaulter. I can make my spear and Jackson make some real freaky shit noises. This video impressed me. Thanks.

[DMRsounds]

@SOCKCOCK1  lol.

[edku1]

8 ppl are jealous carpenters

[Leg0z]

I fully support classical music played on hillbilly instruments.

[rrtodd95]

@Leg0z I actually think it should be part of the graduating curriculum from Juliard, Vienne Conservatory, Eastman school or perhaps even the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.

Would Glenn Gould or Gustav Mahler been so high and mighty if they had to play Bach Sonata in B Minor on a moonshine jug??? I think not.

[creamyfilling102]

@Leg0z a hillbilly instrument would be revving a lawnmower to make the notes

[Dvheereveld]

Can you use your penis to make the vibrato too? :D

Love it btw

[fizik2112]

i love the use of the right leg to make the vibrato

[violiner9391]

can you tell me what kind of saw you have?

[jake1260]

This is beautiful, I'm a 29 yr old man who is into War movies, and sports and not so many other cultured things, but this made me tear up a little...

Brilliant!

[crazyclarinetplayer]

I had to sing this in a competition a few years back, I won. This song brings back a flood of memories. 'Ave Maria, grazia plena, maria, grazia plena...' And played with a saw too!!!! I want one, an anti-little brother weapon and instrument at the same time! Sweet

[Schwalm21]

sounds like a whale



[ihasmusic]

He's the only person i've seen so far who constantly uses the bow, which I think makes the saw that much better.

[beneaththeroses]

hot dam this rules !

[Gijsbertth]

Is it the recording or is youtube encoding make that horrible crackle in the high notes part?

[csrichardson1]

@Gijsbertth it's the horrible microphone on the camera that doesn't have the response.

[atrismusic]

Amazing.

[dliiiiiiii]

The way he pulls such beautiful tone out of the saw with the bow in full contact... it just blows my mind how even and consistent the pitch and tone are!

Great job!

[Ghyrk0ri]

Wow, it's so beautiful. It sounds like a violon ! :D

[zachGrusk]

Fortunately his life/manhood is not in danger. Musical saws are basically saws minus the saw part.

[Kanelle88]

Please tell me this guy is wearing a cup or something encase he slips or something... There are quite a few major veins near where that saw is..

Beautiful of coarse but looks just a little bit dangerous to play.

[draconova777]

it is a saw just like any other it has teeth and is sharp if you use a piece of metal the same shape as a saw with no teeth it doesnt play the same and sounds wrong it is the teeth and heat treated edge that give it its tone :)

[Theonewhoclimbs28]

@draconova777 It depends. Some people use actual saws, but there are specially made musical saws that aren't sharpened. I can't tell what type this guy is using.

[LizaRadley]

@draconova777 Some people use regular saws with teeth, but many use saws specially made for saws, such as Mussehl and Westphal saws, which have no teeth. The teeth have no effect on the sound.

[Trcls]

those saws are not sharp right? cause they look dangerous to handle

[darioushs]

i think we have an instrument there harder than any other instruments to play.

i mean people say harp and organ are hard to play but i guess they are nothing comparing to this one.

[Cellist2727]

@darioushs It really depends, if you're talking muscle memory and need to adjust for pitch, any string instrument has the same need. I'm not saying that this guy isn't amazing, but i think it's very similar to the memorization needed for a string instrument

[theozzyprophet]

They should use this in the Saw films.

[broham89]

@theozzyprophet totally got what u meant

[eakinnally]

Just beautiful. Seems like he'd need perfect pitch to play such an unstructured kind of instrument. Reminds me of the sound and freeness of a theremin.

[Vivaldicellist]

@eakinnally It is quite theremin-esque. You dont necessarily need perfect pitch, but you do need quite an ear - pretty much all learning on saw is done by ear.

[punkpersonified]

he just OWNS the triplet at 1:06.

[umeryahoo]

he doesnt only bend the saw from the handle at front but luk at his lap ... genius :)

[mantovannni]

such a lovely rendition of a beautiful song and piece of music.

[IVIUFFINM4N]

simon cowell and his 6 laps dogs!!!! >:\

[SvenOkonomi]

So deeply touching to listen to.. Id empty my wallet in your tipbox. You're a brilliant sculptor of sound, Austin. Keep er singing.

[polaroidsky]

I wonder how many dogs are barking outside.

[whatdhellusername]

I want him to play that saw on my wedding!!

[HIHNickel]

it sounds like a woman with the capability of singing high notes, so ethereal..

[DesentBlood25]

I just crapped my pants...

[ahmadkanoxxx]

hit man is back ... lol

[TheRicoFrico]

HE 's incredibal and he has a cute pretty face when u see him u feel SAFE

[BanjosInTheDarkroom]

This man really isn't that good at saw. His tone is kind of awful, a good saw player wouldn't sound so damn squeaky. Considering how simple this song is he should be able to focus a bit more on tone. Look up Julian Koster and Uncle Harlan, Saw and Accordion on Wire Recorder if you'd like to hear what real saw talent sounds like.

[markasomerville]

absolutely brilliant. I have listen to few people on hear now playing the saw. and that is without doubt the best prefomance i have heard.

[temujin0911]

This guy played the Ave Maria really really well, this is absolute genius!

[McSqueaky]

Holy.... shit.

[SHINeeTaeminHeart]

omg he's so good especially since it must be really hard to play the...saw lol :D

[SanFraASELG]

AMAZING! i thought a saw was to cut wood and cut ppls heads off but it has this unique use of harmony

[DeathAfterTomorrow]

Mommy Mommy, i want one!

[jared71322]

@DeathAfterTomorrow dito

[JeebusOhMy]

look how steady his left arm is

[spoombung]

Great technique

[clydeburkey]

vary nice saw playing thanks

[NickMusic11]

Oh simon..

look at thiss

[ChennyBenny]

@erbiaman, you starred fuck but not cunt?? xD

[joshuaWEC]

First of all, I think that the saw is one if the most beautiful instruments i have ever heard and if i ever had a band i would definitely want the saw in it. Secondly I think Simon cowell having any say in music was one of the worst things ever for the industry. The man doesn't have one creative bone in his body and is raising a generation of meaningless pop music.

[Spaxx1001]

I have the utmost respect for people who can play instruments like this. It's kinda like the theremin in the sense that you have to control the instrument's pitch with no guidance, other than bending the saw and in the case of the theremin, how far/close the person's hands are from the pitch antenna in mid-air. Muscle memory does play a role but the player also has to rely solely on what is heard, so it wouldn't surprise me if this player has good relative and/or perfect pitch.

[guitarninja90]

incredibly in tune

[dontobeay]

I would have NEVER guessed a saw could sound so beautiful.

[jazmin8188]

BEAUTIFUL SOUND U HAVE TALENT

[LoRenNaEmiLiE]

Ask Simon Cowell If he can do this.. ???

[DavidK362]

he shouldve played this song on bgt

[Ariell1123]

WELL DONE, ABSOLUTELY, SPECTACULAR

ARIELL1123

[Zink300]

just amazing!!! I love it!!! Its so beautiful! <3

[deepmandy008]

good

[rasputinsghost]

Sounds like an alien funeral!

[tich1978]

@rasputinsghost Still can t stop laughing

[labrat7357]

Bravo, Bravo, encore! encore!..........Sorry, I forgot there was a replay button

[nosuchthingasgod]

Consider that to play something like that requires incredible muscle memory...there's no valve or key to depress, not even frets like on a guitar to guide you. It's memorizing how much you have to bend the saw to achieve the right tone, and just think: bending the saw just 'slightly' off will make the note off-key.

This is high musicianship here. Bravo!

[Cavalistik]

@nosuchthingasgod not really, i mean ,have you ever seen a hand flute? with some practice you can reach correct notes just playing by instinct. still i have agree that using a saw to play such beautiful music is completely amasing!

[nimbleline]

@simonhwang4

Yea, I used to play trombone, and it wasn't getting the hand positions right that was the hard part.

[simonhwang4]

@nimbleline although I don't know much about trombone, I'm sure your embouchure is still muscle memory. And as far as I know, the slide involves the change of pitch. Any instrumental technique involving pitch change is hard, depending on how in-tune you want it to be.

[nimbleline]

@simonhwang4

Yeah, it took me a long time to consistently play in tune, but once I got there, it ceased to be an issue.

[andyhsong]

@nosuchthingasgod like a violin...or any other fretless instrument. or a trombone....a trumpet even...or a theremin! lots of instruments are like this. i know the saw is a very uncommon and unusual 'instrument' but i am surprised so many ppl were unaware that the saw could be "played" and surprsied at how its played too.

its a saw...but its just another instrument too, just like anything else. i am more impressed at the possibilities of how the turntable is used as a musical instrument :)

[Chefodeath]

@nosuchthingasgod It doesn't look that hard. Just one note to worry about at a time, just a slight bump here or there to fix intonation. Anyone with a little musical experience and a decent ear should be able to pick it up and start playing without much trouble.

[RogueRotting360]

@Chefodeath Easier said than done.

[lordleoo]

@nosuchthingasgod

true and i couldn't have said it better

but what is the difference between this sound and violin (to be honest)??

[raulox71]

@nosuchthingasgod I totally agree.

[MrFelipepimpao]

Muito lindo..

Sou violinista.

e dou meus aplausos de pé....

Grande musico..com um simples

e taum doce "instrumento"....

[Mythicnight]

Absolutely beautiful.

A very misunderstood instrument of choice, but gorgeous when given the chance.

[PaigeEvonne]

something about the saw, beautiful and a bit eerie. love at first note

[painpainpain]

Fuck Simon, fuck violin, fuck any music instrument... This guy is a fucking genius!!! AWESOME!!! Fucking AWESOME! You try this before judge!!!

[kiwiwaderguy]

I can play the saw but don't have this kind of talent and skill. Must go practice more.

[ace41r]

I think simon created 7 fake ids to dislike this video :lol:

This is one of the purest form of music and its better than violin when it comes to the note transition. You have control over every aspect and simon was pop/rap blinded to see the music in this.

[PaigeEvonne]

i love this song.. and hes really good. graceful not jumpy.. i love it

[passion2muse]

The piano player destroys this wonderful performance!!! :-(((

So many mistakes...

[raymondgreat]

simon liks this!

[WildHoneyPie4]

Beautiful!! :D

[1nsane0bject]

They should play the saw in a SAW movie

[grecogreco4]

omg he's using his knees to vibrate the sound??

i didn't knowtice that in the BGT vids

amazing o.0

[taffedwards1]

Dear Berwyn,

Thought this might inspire you!

John Edwards

[TheEdwardVendetta]

It sounds like a theremin mixed with a violin and a human voice. Absolutely superb.

[ZzMatthewzZ]

@TheEdwardVendetta That's the same thing I thought....great performance and great sound!

[fox428]

it sounds like that saw is singing... so many years this gentle instument was used to cut and destroy, and here u go.... how beautiful that is..

[teikec]

@fox428 True. But you forgot one thing. The saw did create, before too. Without it, we couldn't cut the trees to build shelters(houses) for us to live in.:)

[fox428]

@teikec

:) well, if in an option to help people yes.. on the other hand, tries dye so we have where to live.. Humans are the only species that make everything that way so they can live, other species adapt, we dont, we adapt the surrounding , but not ourselves.

[MrJmaxted]

@fox428 that's a bit of a sweeping generalization really... native americans got by without adapting the surrounding environment for thousands of years. in fact, they're whole culture revolved around disrupting nature as little as possible :)

[crazyclarinetplayer]

@MrJmaxted Actually, native americans set fire to patches of forest so that new plants could grow there, which attracted deer so they could eat them. One settler remarked that it looked more like an English park than a forest.

[MrJmaxted]

@crazyclarinetplayer Really? That's an eye opener. None the less, I disagree with your view that humans only adapt their surroundings to survive, and not they're own behaviour. Our adaption of the environment is a result of a natural progression in our behaviour, where we acknowledge the obstacles to survival and overcome them with bright solutions. This creativity has made us the most adaptable, and therefore, the most successful species on earth.

[dalailama83]

@MrJmaxted Well...yeah...but without the industrial, chemical, physical revolutions. They'd still be living without electricity, antibiotics, and heat. They're overall life quality and expectancy was a fraction of what we have.

[gssekhon]

Everytime I see this...my eyes gets wet...some memories going along with me...

[loyboy1979]

wow that is beautiful amazing talent love ever momment.

[tsang0701]

AWESOME 

[copavida]

a few mistakes but still enjoyable

[demonholocaust101]

breath taking

[loofahbox]

This guy is probably one of the best saw players I've seen. Most of them have really bad intonation and vibrato.

[styrmirr86]

cool

[ingimann]

i never ever would have thought this would be possible on a saw!! o.O btw. i am learning carpentry and i have never heard of this.

Amazingly beautiful =)

[rachelsnape]

Actually amazing how does he know how to bend it to get the right notes.....mystery...

So beautiful :D

[TempoFurioso]

@rachelsnape yes... sounds like it needs of a lof of training right? but I think a real violin is also kind of the same... having no frets...

[UlsterScotKeith]

Class act

[GreenAmyJ]

this makes me just want to cry, so beautiful, love how he's made the musical saw the main feature in a piece... just amazing

[AvatarCyrado]

it sounds like a person...scary!!

[robbzkel]

the tune/sound of the musical saw gives me goose bumps :b

doesn't matter if it's played well or bad, it gives me goose bumps..

and when i get goose bumps from music it's like, i must like it either i want it or not.. :D

Good job!