How to Make a Spike Fiddle

A violin and fiddle are almost identical types of musical instruments. The main difference is the type of music played—a violin plays more classical tunes and a fiddle plays mainly folk music. A spike fiddle is a variation of the fiddle that got its name because its neck "spikes" through the body of the fiddle and sticks out the other side.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tin can (empty and clean with one side still containing a lid)
• 2-foot long straight stick
• String, wire or monofilament line
• Cold chisel
• Hammer
• Pliers
• Sturdy gloves
• Peg or eyescrew (optional)
• Nut (optional)
• Small piece of wood, stick, rock or seashell
• Musical bow

1. Make holes near the top of the can that still has a closed lid using a cold chisel and a hammer. The holes should go all the way through to the other side of the can and be big enough for the straight stick to fit through them.

2. Put on a pair of sturdy gloves. Take the pliers and bend back the flaps of the can that were made around the holes.

3. Put the stick through a hole in the can and push it all the way through the other hole leaving only about an inch sticking out on one side and the remainder of the stick on the other side. Wrap some string around the stick at each point it has gone through the can. This will prevent the stick from sliding out.

4. Cut a notch into the end of the longest piece of the stick or twist a peg or eyescrew into to it. Take the string, wire or monofilament line and tie one end of it around the shortest end of the stick. Stretch the rest of the string across the end of the can (right above the stick) tightly and tie it to the notch in the stick, peg or eyescrew.

5. Add a movable nut (optional) to the longest end of the stick by sliding it over the string. You can move this back and forth to change the pitch of the strings and tune your spike fiddle. This step is not necessary but nice if you want a variety of sounds.

6. Put a piece of wood, small stick, rock or seashell between the top of the can and the string that is tightly stretched across it. This will serve as a bridge.

7. Pick up a musical bow and fiddle away. If you don't have a musical bow, simply tie a strip of cloth, sturdy cotton string or even several pieces of thin string around the ends of a flexible stick that is at least 1-foot long or more. Use resin if you are using cloth so it will have better friction.