Nail Violin

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The nail violin is a unique musical instrument invented by German violinist Johann Wilde in 1740. It features a semicircular wooden soundboard with iron or brass nails of different lengths, arranged to produce a chromatic scale when bowed. The instrument’s distinctive design allows each nail to emit a different pitch based on its length, with deeper nails producing higher pitches. Wilde was inspired to create this instrument after accidentally drawing his bow across a metal peg, which produced an unexpected musical sound.

Construction and Design

The nail violin’s structure includes a wooden soundboard about 1.5 feet (46 cm) by 1 foot (30 cm) in size. The iron or brass nails are embedded at various depths, with their length dictating the pitch produced. The instrument is bowed using coarse black horsehair, which produces sound through friction. The instrument emits a bell-like tone, but its technical capabilities are somewhat limited due to its unique design.

History and Evolution

The nail violin’s history began with Johann Wilde’s inspiration from a serendipitous encounter with a metal peg. Following its creation, an improved version was developed, which included two half-moon sound-chests of varying sizes, creating a terrace effect. Each sound-chest was fitted with two rows of iron staples: one for the diatonic scale and the other for chromatic semitones. Around 1780–1790, a Bohemian musician named Senal emerged as a virtuoso of the nail violin, enhancing it by adding sympathetic strings and calling it the “violino harmonico.”

Variations and Modifications

Over time, several modifications and variations of the nail violin emerged. In 1791, Träger of Bernberg (Saxony) developed a treadle-operated keyboard version, while in 1818, Franz Schuster invented the Adiaphonon, which featured bowed steel rods and had an extensive range of six octaves. Additionally, the Stockspiel or Melkharmonica, which emerged in the 19th century, utilized wooden rods instead of nails and required the use of rosined gloves to play. In recent times, Bill Wesley developed the Array Nail Violin, where the nails are arranged according to the Array system and played using fingers, thumbs, and palms dusted with dancer’s rosin.

Sound and Playing Technique

The nail violin produces a sweet, bell-like tone when the nails are bowed, creating a charming but somewhat limited musical range. The bow fitted with coarse horsehair generates friction against the nails, which vibrates them to produce sound. Different pitches are achieved depending on the nail length, with deeper nails producing higher notes. Despite its simplicity, the nail violin’s sound is evocative, providing a distinctive timbre that sets it apart from conventional string instruments.

FAQ

What is the nail violin?

The nail violin is a musical instrument invented by Johann Wilde in 1740, featuring iron or brass nails of different lengths arranged to produce a chromatic scale when bowed.

How is sound produced on the nail violin?

The sound on the nail violin is produced by bowing nails of different lengths using coarse horsehair. The varying lengths of the nails determine the pitch of each note.

What modifications have been made to the original nail violin design?

Several modifications have been made, including the addition of sympathetic strings by Senal, the creation of the Adiaphonon by Franz Schuster, and the development of the Stockspiel, which used wooden rods and rosined gloves.

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