Sophia Delgado
The nail violin is a musical instrument invented by German violinist Johann Wilde in 1740. It consists of a semicircular wooden soundboard with iron or brass nails of different lengths arranged to produce a chromatic scale when bowed with a violin bow. This guide will take you through the simple process of making your own nail violin, as well as some tips for playing the instrument.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Invention | 1740 |
| Inventor | German violinist Johann Wilde |
| Materials | 1/2" plywood, 12" x 6" or larger, 5 iron or brass nails of varying sizes, violin or cello bow |
| Steps | 1. Mark out an arc on the plywood using a compass set to 5" or freehand. 2. Pound in nails every 1-1/2" along the arc, starting 1" from the edge of the wood, with the largest nails at the top and the smallest at the bottom. 3. Tune the instrument by adjusting the depth of the nails and notching their bases if necessary. |
| Additional Information | A piezo pickup can be used for amplification. Bowing the nails nearest the nail heads produces the best sound. |
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What You'll Learn
Materials: plywood, nails, and a bow
The nail violin is a musical instrument invented by German violinist Johann Wilde in 1740. It consists of a semicircular wooden soundboard with iron or brass nails of different lengths arranged to produce a chromatic scale when bowed with a violin bow.
To make a nail violin, you will need the following materials: plywood, nails, and a bow. For the plywood, you will need a piece of 1/2" plywood that is 12" x 6" or larger. You can use a compass to mark out a 5" arc on the plywood or do this freehand. If you want to amplify your nail violin, you can also add a piezo pickup at the center of the plywood.
For the nails, you will need five nails of different sizes: three 12d, one 10d, and one 8d. Starting 1" from the edge of the wood, pound the nails into the plywood along the arc, with the largest nails at the top and the smallest at the bottom. Be sure not to hammer them in too deep, as the depth of the nails will affect the pitch. You can tune the instrument by hammering a nail in further to raise the pitch or carefully pulling it out a little with the hammer's claws to lower the pitch.
Finally, you will need a bow. You can use a violin or cello bow, or any other type of instrument bow. When playing the nail violin, it is best to bow the nails nearest the nail heads for the best sound.
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Construction: mark an arc, hammer nails, and tune
To construct a nail violin, you will need a piece of 1/2" plywood, 12" x 6" or larger, 5 nails (three 12d, one 10d, and one 8d), and a violin or cello bow.
The first step is to mark an arc on the plywood. You can do this by using a compass set to 5" or by drawing it freehand. This arc will guide the placement of the nails.
Next, starting 1" from the edge of the wood, hammer the nails along the arc. Space the nails approximately 1-1/2" apart, with the largest nails at the top and the smallest at the bottom. Be careful not to hammer them in too deeply.
Finally, you can fine-tune the instrument by adjusting the nail lengths. To raise the pitch of a nail, hammer it in further. To lower the pitch, carefully pull the nail out slightly using the claws of the hammer. If a nail is particularly stubborn and won't pull out, use a metal file to gently file away a small notch near its base.
The nail violin is a unique instrument that produces a chromatic scale when bowed with a violin bow. Its construction is simple yet allows for creative musical expression.
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Tuning: adjust nail depth and file notches
Tuning a nail violin involves adjusting the depth of the nails and filing notches near their bases. The pitch of each nail can be altered by hammering it in further or pulling it out slightly with the claws of a hammer. To increase the pitch of a nail, carefully hammer it in deeper. Conversely, to lower the pitch, gently pull out the nail with the hammer's claws. If a nail is particularly resistant to being pulled out, use a metal file to create a small notch near its base. This process will allow you to fine-tune the pitch of each nail, ensuring that your nail violin produces the desired chromatic scale when bowed.
When adjusting the nail depth, it is important to proceed gradually and with caution. Small adjustments can make a significant difference in pitch. Over-tightening or excessive force when hammering in the nails can damage the plywood or cause the nails to break. Similarly, when using the hammer's claws to pull out a nail, be gentle to avoid bending or damaging the nail head.
The tuning process may require some trial and error, as the pitch of each nail is interdependent and changes in one nail's pitch may affect the overall harmony. It is advisable to test the sound of the nail violin frequently during tuning by bowing the nails with a violin or cello bow. This will provide real-time feedback on the pitch of each nail and help you identify any adjustments needed.
Additionally, the specific arrangement of the nails on the semicircular wooden soundboard impacts the tuning. The largest nails should be placed at the top and the smallest at the bottom, with a distance of 1-1/2" between them along the arc. This arrangement ensures that the nail violin produces a chromatic scale when bowed.
By carefully adjusting the nail depth, filing notches when necessary, and arranging the nails in the correct order, you can achieve the desired tuning for your nail violin. Remember to test the sound frequently and make small adjustments until you are satisfied with the overall pitch and harmony of the instrument.
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Plucking: use fingers or rosin
Plucking the nail violin with your fingers is possible, but it doesn't sound very good. A better option is to use rosin, which is a sticky substance that you can apply directly to your fingers. This allows you to stroke the nail heads, creating a smoother and more musical sound. This method transforms the nail violin into a nail organ.
When using rosin, the layout of the nails on your instrument will be different from the traditional nail violin. The nails should be arranged to produce the desired sound when stroked with rosined fingers rather than bowed. This may require some experimentation to find the right configuration.
Bill Wesley is known for his mastery of the nail organ approach. You can find videos of his technique online, which may provide valuable insights and inspiration for your own instrument.
It's worth noting that amplification can be a challenge with the nail violin and nail organ. These instruments are typically very intimate and quiet. While you can use a piezo pickup for amplification, as demonstrated by some enthusiasts, it may not be sufficient for a performance in a larger space. Building a preamp inside a box and plugging it into a PA system or music system could be a potential solution.
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Amplification: piezo pickup
To amplify your nail violin, you can use a piezo pickup. A piezo pickup placed at the centre of the plywood will amplify the nail violin. The piezo pickup is placed under the bridge of the violin, flat on the soundboard. The lead from the piezo pickup is then plugged into the volume/tone unit, which is mounted inside or on the body of the instrument.
Piezo pickups generate electricity from mechanical stress. They output a high voltage for a relatively small amount of stress. Piezos are electrically considered capacitors and, for audio purposes, should have impedance in the range of many megaohms. However, audio interfaces and DI boxes typically have input impedance in the multi-kilo-ohms range, which can result in a loss of bass at the input connection.
Cheaper guitars and violin family instruments often come with piezo pickups but no dedicated circuitry. A simple piezo preamp only requires a few transistors and a volume control.
When installing a piezo pickup, it is important to note that any alterations made to your instrument are your responsibility, including any potential damage.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a piece of 1/2" plywood (12" x 6" or larger), 5 nails of varying sizes (3 x 12d, 1 x 10d, and 1 x 8d), and a violin or cello bow.
First, mark out a 5" arc on the plywood using a compass or freehand. Next, pound the nails into the wood along the arc, starting 1" from the edge. Place the largest nails at the top and the smallest at the bottom, ensuring they are not hammered in too deeply. Finally, tune the instrument by adjusting the nails—hammer them in to raise the pitch, or pull them out gently with a hammer's claws to lower the pitch.
Bowing the nails nearest the nail heads produces the best sound. You can also amplify the sound by placing a piezo pickup in the centre of the plywood.
