A Sympathetic Nail Violin?

Building the best nail violin I can, with sympathetic nails and sympathetic strings.
More details about the building on my patreon / nicolasbras
I made a sample pack with this instrument, also available on my Patreon :
/ nicolasbras
The tuner I use is Tunable, my favorite one, you can follow this link to buy it, it supports the channel:
get.tunableapp.com/nicolasbras
I'm Nicolas Bras, musician and homemade instruments builder, on this channel you will find tutorials, compositions, building projects, improvisations, live concerts
Follow me on
/ nicolas_bras_
/ musiquesdenullepart
Find my music on nicolasbras.bandcamp.com
Music :
Nicolas Bras - Guyane, Homemade (album)
Nicolas Bras - Pompe à vélo, Homemade (album)
Sandrine Morais : video editing

[@WatchMeSayStuff]

500 years from now students will learn about this instrument in a middle school music class and invariably one child will always raise their hand to ask why the base of the instrument is called the "footrest."

[@thereinthedeep]

Why is it called a footrest?

[@thegreatwebstar]

And they will also consider why he "din't" use his nails on the nails ... nailed it

[@Nishye501]

I would ask “where the hello can I get one”

[@starbournehero771]

Get it at your local hardware store... duh!

[@bradhoward9701]

@@starbournehero771 *some assembly required.

[@DonylynKnives]

"I really don't want to practice this a lot to be able to play this." - Me about any instrument I've ever wished I could play.

[@NicolasBras]

That's why I build only instrument I can play quick!

[@Hayes1411]

I would love to have time an money to do this. Need help?

[@John3_17-21]

40 hour a day minimum of practice

[@sonycatr]

Just sample it, and play it digitally

[@cherryrozeartz1232]

You really nailed that instrument

[@bread9276]

E

[@mothersgauri4137]

😂🤣😂😂😂

[@socialxperiment3162]

I like how most of the instruments you make end up sounding awkward on their own but when you layer them in a song you make each one sound amazing. A truly unique talent!

[@NicolasBras]

Thank you!

[@QWeirdness]

Nicolas - you, uh, nailed it!

[@aaronazagoth6373]

I wonder if brass nails would sound warmer. Or maybe if you polished the nails to a fine mirror polish with a polishing wheel and some polishing compound. You never know!

[@user-ei5kt7in3k]

As a violinist, watching that bow go across the nails makes me crying in an unimaginable way. But he put alot if work into that and it sounds cool!

[@NicolasBras]

I use bows that a music store gave me, they were no longer good for playing the violin, so no regrets!

[@kittywrath6121]

@@NicolasBras oh thank goodness

[@and7barton]

I prefer to say "Cringe" !

[@jonrau5988]

I've been playing the saw for 50 years. Now I can also play nails! YES 👍

[@cw4608]

Too bad the group Carpenters was already taken.

[@ulrichkalber9039]

imagine the wheel of a hurdy-gurdy rotating, and an arangement moving nails against it. if you have a melody of nails on a second wheel you might also build a device that plays a melody by turning the second wheel against the first.

[@klaasbil8459]

Can be done with a single wheel. You could have a melody 'nailed' on a wheel, and rotate the wheel so that the nails rub against a stationary bow that this brings the nails in vibration one by one.

[@ulrichkalber9039]

@@klaasbil8459 yes, but the idea of a rotating wheel is long notes played, not just short notes. nails that rub against a stationary bow are a nice idea, imagine you create a doorbell that plays a short melody, whenever somebody opens the door.

[@klaasbil8459]

@@ulrichkalber9039 But then you would have to vary the speed of the wheel with nails, which makes it complicated. With the single wheel, long notes could also be done by repeating the same note so that one takes over from the other. Or alternatively by inserting rests, as the nails will have some sustain anyway. The doorbell would be a nice idea for a weird music shop entry door.

[@centraldivisionseniorsband1013]

Maybe you could add extra nails for the longer notes that are all tuned to exactly the same pitch.

[@scruffmaster0185]

Interesting idea. Having just recently (about a month ago) learned what a hurdy-gurdy is, I would be interested to see this happen 🤔

[@UncleRedd87]

he could do an entire Legend of Zelda soundtrack with this instrument

[@jeremysmith9291]

Yeah definitely getting some hardcore wind waker vibes. That or like an old cartoon such as the raining scene in bambi.

[@NicolasBras]

Could be fun!

[@tinamelton7175]

Soundboard for any kind of background music from Starships to ancient tribes. You could do a lot with that instrument and fantasy music.

[@timothyjenkins9247]

The bow on the strings sounds exactly like some of the music in Red Dead Redemption 2

[@BrushesOfMagic]

I thought that too!!! Lol

[@PaulFisher]

The instrument is cool and I really appreciate how you edited the construction to match the beat of the background music.

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks!

[@Linus-nq2op]

The german translation of the video title says "a violin out of likeable nails", idk if that is correct lol

[@sebastianzaczek]

Yeah the problem with words with multiple translations haha

[@Linus-nq2op]

@@sebastianzaczek I guess they thought "sympathetic" means "sympatisch" because they are so similar

[@Angelopisci]

Same with portuguese lol

[@NicolasBras]

Google translate, sorry!

@@NicolasBras Sans doute déjà trop souvent posée, mais pas trouvé de réponse : quelle est cette application pour l'accordage ? Merci pour les vidéos.

[@txikitofandango]

I wonder how it would sound with a bass bow and bass rosin. Nails probably need more grab to get the lower frequencies. Just a guess

[@NicolasBras]

The sound I play are the fundamental frequency of each nail, but for the lowest ones could be better with a bass bow! I only have violin and cello bows at home for now, I'll have to equip myself!

[@pete_nana]

@@NicolasBras Curious about how this would sound with the standard nails swapped out for different metal such as brass rods.

[@brionfranks478]

yeah, stickier rosin and file or sand the nails length wise to put tiny grooves in them to catch the hair on the bow better

[@dliessmgg]

Tbh playing it with fingers on the nailheads looks to me like a more intuitive & natural way to play this than with a bow. Maybe you could try making a layout of nails that is centered around that, so you can play it sort of like a piano?

[@NicolasBras]

Yes I could! But for this one I focused more on the bowed playing

[@roymakesmusic]

Basically a kalimba at that point haha

[@64t120r]

Make your bridge curved. Make the neck longer and more narrow. You may also make it curved. That's so you can run the bow between the bridge and pegs while hitting one string at a time. It will be faster and easier transitions between notes.

[@thePGraph]

An awesome folk instrument with rich possibilities! My great respect and best wishes!

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks!

[@BestKCL]

I’m sure Inon Zur would love to use this in his compositions for Elder Scrolls 6, it honestly totally fits his music-making tastes, i.e his love of non-traditionally using instruments, such as bowing a guitar for example.

[@livu69]

The edit on these videos is amazing. This instruments are amazing. Damn! even this guy is amazin, he has a particular charm that makes you want more videos with him making and playing those weird instruments!

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks a lot!

[@benji.B-side]

So versatile, so many ways it could be played, even as a sort of drum to tap on. So much possibility of making creative, beautiful music.

[@chaosgremlin]

Wood worker and musician? Never thought that would work together so well

[@Damsel_In_Distress_528]

Hey, I just wanted to let you know that I love this video. You are a nerd and I love that. 【Side note】 : I also like your voice.

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks!

[@spustatu]

This is my first time hearing a nail violin. I like how the bowing of the nails produces a flute-like sound. Very interesting!

[@niemand262]

What a great little instrument for animations. The sounds are so familiar but so foreign.

[@joeemenaker]

Back in the medieval times, you would have been the king's personal instrument inventor.

[@oletrenner]

Your videos always make me smile. Wonderful, thank you!

[@enderlord5412]

It sounds really nice. Can't wait to hear a full song on it

[@MrBsUkuleleChannel]

A really interesting video, seeing how you took a simple concept and made a really complex instrument at the end - it really sounded great. I loved the part towards the end when you played it with two hands without the bow.

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks!

[@cristianoibaportoalegre5026]

a cada instrumento fico mais fascinado, eu vi as flautas adorei o projeto parabens

[@noamtsvi]

This is so cool!! I never would have guessed that nails could sound like that!!

[@AnnSnowfrost]

Beautiful sounds!

[@Parmesana]

this is SO cool. I have recently moved..but if I were at the old house..I WOULD be in the shop trying to make one. Maybe in the future. I love making music from non-ordinary things

[@warren8344]

Nicolas, I love your videos just keep making them ! In an idle moment in my workshop I had a go at building one of your pipe instruments, I've got to say it was a lot of fun and very satisfying.

[@pattyluss]

So cool! Great build!

[@donbrooks8479]

I so love your creativity and thank you for sharing your amazing instruments.

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks!

[@MikMech]

This is Nail Biting! I think you nailed it...

[@ComplexVariables]

It’s sound is beautiful with a dash of magical

[@frankH117]

you did it again! so nice that you took time to explain us how that works. this violin has a really good sound, hope you make good music with it.

[@NicolasBras]

I will!

[@VondaInWonderland]

Your video was so refreshing. I'm absolutely in awe ♥

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks!

[@lexiehuselton1145]

LOVE the sound!💕

[@janebundy6480]

absolutely beautiful and creative!

[@ralizek497]

That thing is amazing, it reminds me of the stuff sound engineers build for movies to get some new sound. It made me think of the old 70's and 80's cartoons when you were plucking both sides of nails

[@daphneraven9439]

Tyvk, Nicholas! This is fascinating, and answered a lot of questions! Of course, I have subscribed, and can hardly wait to treat myself to another of your videos!

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks!

[@StrickenGhoul]

I feel like such a new and unique instrument needs a bow designed just to play it. Really cool.

[@BarryMikokinju]

Absolutely amazing! Glad I dug into your uploads

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks!

[@keeponpainting]

It has a lovely tone .

[@chasehowse-willard9182]

beautiful work

[@kahiliband4442]

double bow sounded amazing! super RAD!!!!

[@sheepkillindog]

Send that through a Strymon Big Sky! Great video

[@Vivi.isidoro]

O som ficou maravilhoso! uma doçura!

[@PedroCarneiroJr1971]

This is really something new! Congratulations!!!

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks!

[@icebluscorpion]

freaking awesome, I heard about this nails in this video. the tuning is a bit inpracticable but still fucking awesome 😍

[@michaelsorensen7567]

I mean, steel drums tuning is impractical too, and when you play it you're constantly knocking it out of tune. And people still love that instrument. 🤷‍♂️

[@jboz780]

This guy is the most creative and interesting dude on KZbin. You Rock! Very inspiring! Thanks for the vids.

[@Julia-qf8eh]

Amazing work and instrument. I enjoyed your video.

[@godzilla7382]

if you were to incorporate some of the automaton violin tech into this device like the spinning bow cylinder (infinite draw) and implement one of them per nail note you could in theory rig them on a travel system like a hinge with a travel stop and a string to pull the sleeved shaft of the rotating drum and have those strings attached to a keyboard type system to effectively adapt this to a very usable instrument.

[@tahlenri]

Really love your channel. I'm very new to your content but I love your presentation, pacing, and obviously the results are phenomenal. Thank you for the brilliant work!! This is such a cool instrument!

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks a lot!

[@Alexander.Shipkov]

A brilliant idea ! The author is a real fanatic of music and musical instruments, as well as a genius of invention. Thank you for the magical ideas and wonderful videos !

[@VS-zi9dp]

Merci beaucoup pour cette vidéo et pour tout ce que tu fais Bravo Tu es un véritable génie

[@NicolasBras]

grand merci!

[@mutably]

C'est bluffant, j'aurais jamais cru qu'un truc pareil était possible!

[@DrHavok1]

This is really amazing thank you

[@ezrafouts1842]

The editing is great!

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks!

[@leihmoon555]

C'est vraiment impressionnant ce travail ! Bravo !!

[@NicolasBras]

Un grand merci !

[@leihmoon555]

Mais de rien !

[@jkproduction2253]

Really incredible work!

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks!

[@TheodoreAndor]

Beautiful

[@BanjoBasement]

I really enjoy your incredible musicianship, your inspirational instruments and craftsmanship, and also your brilliant video editing. Is there anything you are not good at? So grateful - many thanks!

[@jkbarz841]

You are brilliant I love any music instrument even I don't how to play.

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks!

[@erikhiser6600]

Nice work. Looks like it was a fun build. This is a first cousin to the Waterphone. If you are thinking of playing with the design a bit more, you could follow that lead and aim to refine it for resonance and not necessarily overall tuning.

[@loganquin4919]

wow. this is genuinely awesome

[@elineasdf7176]

You nailed it!

[@saleh_beats]

You are a true artist my friend

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks!

[@laurawalker546]

Very clever and creative ❤

[@EpIcHoBoGuY]

i love the sound, it reminds me of the whistler used to call songbird in bioshock

[@paulosouza-iluminador]

Fantastic, I loved this instrumento!

[@NicolasBras]

Glad you like it!

[@abwolf2975]

You do such wonderful projects

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks!

[@flutechannel]

Ling Ling would be proud!

[@elliotmadethis]

crimge

[@nukebuster]

cribge

[@mysigt_]

Craig

[@jblakeplays2541]

You have to practice at least 40 hours a day on it to get good on it though

[@davidparker8978]

Ge

[@conductiveinkalternative918]

Love it! Thanks for sharing.

[@PaintByMonster]

I just found you today and I love what you are doing. Great video. I think I will steal from you. I think I must steal from you. My gosh, GREAT WORK!!!

[@NicolasBras]

No stealing, only inspiration!

[@shanebeaudrot777]

Well, you nailed it!

[@Q-and-Q]

you nailed it !!!!

[@User-wq9ri]

That's super cool. I like all the instruments you make. Very interesting.

[@NicolasBras]

Thank you very much!

[@nigelm.steele9329]

This is a great instrument to create incidental music or effects for video and film, even plays and theatre

[@ivanmarkulak2903]

i love u broo!Do not give up.U are my inspiration for homemade staf.......

[@ZenturaAudio]

Amazing sounding MUSIC!!!!

[@shel.b.1090]

Wow! Awesome xx

[@fCauneau]

Splendide résultat ! Avec l'avènement des synthétiseurs, on aurait pu croire que l'on ferait le tour de l'acoustique musicale, mais vous démontrez fort heureusement que non ! Au-delà du musicien talentueux et inventif, on sent la maîtrise de tous les corps de métiers. Ici l'art de retrouver le centre d'un cylindre, ou de diviser régulièrement le quadrant, tout ça à la règle et au compas inspire le respect !!

[@fnersch3367]

Neat idea. I plan to build a 4 octave version laid out in a linear chromatic fashion to play classical music on. There have been kalimbas made like this and are wonderful instruments to play on (and easy).

[@vaaalsongs4867]

Super dope! I wanna build one of these.

[@JoshuaMolotov]

This is really incredible man, I enjoy all your videos! I am a professional violinist, and also into music production and building stuff. I am going to try and make my own version of this instrument you built and make music with it. Thanks a lot for this awesome inspiration!

[@NicolasBras]

Awesome, thank you! Send me videos!

[@DeadXDove]

When will TwoSetViolin take a look at this thing ...?

[@HolarMusic]

You nailed it

[@rbeehner2]

You really nailed that chordophone!

[@Nightbow9]

Wow, you nailed it! :D

[@BobbySpiessVienna]

So cool dude!

[@williamsilva5024]

Wow qué ingenioso hermano, es asombroso lograr que algo tan complejo como la música tan sólo requeriría de materiales ordinarios y mucha creatividad, increíble. Congratulations bro.

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks!

[@Khono]

Awesome!

[@flautalee3090]

So glad to meet you through KZbin. I’m thinking of Harry Partch’s instruments and music and Jelle Hogenhuis flutes right now - I hope you knew Jelle - great flutist and flute maker - nice guy.

[@zakaria1514z]

Vous m'avez... Cloué! Great job

[@guitfidle]

Nice!! I like how the stringed part works like a psaltrey. I actually made a few years ago with long thin rods. The root notes are too low to hear, but the overtones are amazing!! I mounted a piezo pickup to it, and it sounds wild through my collection of guitar pedals. Incidentally, I found steel wire (I used baling wire) worked better than nails for me- I could chuck the wire in my cordless drill and use the drill to drive the wires in to the wood.

[@NicolasBras]

You have to send me video!

[@guitfidle]

@@NicolasBras I need to make a video 😁 I have a KZbin page, Instagram and Facebook, and I never post videos of my stuff- not really sure why not....

[@jjsixstring]

Amazing!

[@Chesterton7]

Amazing

[@aniquinstark4347]

This is ridiculously interesting. I love anything to do with sympathetic strings or in this case, sympathetic nails. I've always wanted a banjo with sympathetic strings inside the drum head so it would have an Indian sitar sorta tone.

[@NicolasBras]

Everything is better with sympathetic strings!