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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 2, 1990)
Sayre to play antique, unusual instruments By Cindy Wostrel Staff Reporter Ever meet a man who plays a saw with a cello bow? Chris Sayre does. He said he puts the saw between his knees to play it. He described the sound it makes as a high-pitched wailing sound, like the sound of an opera singer past her prime or a sick cat. Sayre, 36, plans to play some of his antique and unusual instruments at Summertime Nebraska. “I like all kinds of musical sounds,” Sayre said. “For me, a lot of the new instruments just don’t have that (lik able) sound.” So, he turns to antique instruments and reproductions of them. Playing antique instruments allows Sayre to combine his two loves, his tory and music. Sayre, who spent two years at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln study ing music theory,said hcplaysalotof ethnic music -- everything from Swedish, French, Irish and Hawaiian to 1920s and 1930s African-Ameri can bottleneck. He plays traditional music with not-so-traditional instruments, he said. Like a on a saw. Or playing French music on an English or German instrumentor Irish music on an Italian instrument. Sayre, who was in a high school rock band, said his musical family helped spark his interest in traditional music. His oldest brother liked folk mu sic, and that affection rubbed off on him, Sayre said. At about age 20, he said, he went to Boston, where he saw young people playing traditional music. “I always kind of associated it with older people,” he said, but see ing them fueled his desire to play the music. Now, he said, “ I just can ’ t seem to give it up.” He said he limits the number of instruments he owns to 12 because he doesn’t have enough time to practice them. He is “generally just self taught” on about 10 instruments, he said, and will never stop learning new techniques. “Each instrument has been sort of an adventure,” he said. During the summer, he performs for weddings, programs in Antelope Park and other events. During the school year, Sayre trav els to about 350 schools, he said, teaching even die-hard rock ‘n’ roll fans about the antique instruments. Sayre performs Friday at 6 and 7 p.m., Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and Sunday at 4:15 p.m. afig j_■ H^ '-Mt ■' ^i| t n WBMr ili-! Michelle Paulman/Daily Nebraskan Chris Sayre uses a cello bow to play a tune on a saw. The music sounds like an opera singer past her prime or a sick cat, Sayre said. Busy Summer? Start Your Day Right With Continental Breakfast 0 jr ’ ; Special Moments ■ I Wedding & Party Shop : 1 _ * > ; Wedding Invitations 25% Off with coupon.; ■ (Please Present Coupon When Ordering) ■ Reception & Party Supplies ■ " Wedding Floral Arrangements ■ ■ 4005 mOh St. Lincoln 488-0767 ■ ~ WERE FIGHTINGTOR \OUR LIFE American Heart Association Nebraska Affiliate Catch-A-Ray Janning Salon _— If 10 Tans for $30 Offer expires August 15,1990. —X - ITT' I Downtown Boot &Shoe Repair Mon-Fri 7:45 to 5:15 1230 "P" Street 435-9379 -—---—---T7? Heels tips wear down Soles get holes Thin soles need sole guards Zippers & Stitching break Same day service In before 9:00 a.m. Done at 4:00 p.m. Mens heels, Ladies heel tips, and shines while you wait Saddles and Tack Repair Dress for success down to your shoes yfiflC&iWIXPFTTTTTJTTTTrTTttTitTTtrtTnTtttiittTttitttittttitti.tiifercMrti