The Sympathetic Nail Violin – an instrument tuned with a hammer! Each nail is a metal rod, and its length outside the wood defines the pitch. You bow just under the nail’s head with a rosined bow, producing a crystalline, flute-like sound. This one has three groups of sympathetic nails, which create extra resonance for each note. Some nails and strings don’t play directly — they resonate on their own or you can strike them for a drone chord.