Saar was born at the small borough of Hüpassaare (now in Karjasoo, Suure-Jaani Parish), Viljandi County, Estonia, then part of the  Livonian Governorate, Russian Empire, to Mihkel and Ann Saar (née Kimmel).
His father was employed in the forestry business.
He was the eldest of fours siblings; Anna (1885-1968), Hans (1895-1979) and Jaan (1897-1898).
He received his education in the village school at Kaansoo and the Suure-Jaani Parish school.
His music teacher in the Suure-Jaani parish school was Joosep Kapp, the father of Artur Kapp, another famous Estonian composer.
Additionally, Saar's father was a talented organist, who gave him lessons at home.
Saar was born at the small borough of Hüpassaare (now in Karjasoo, Suure-Jaani Parish), Viljandi County, Estonia, then part of the  Livonian Governorate, Russian Empire, to Mihkel and Ann Saar (née Kimmel). His father was employed in the forestry business. He was the eldest of fours siblings; Anna (1885-1968), Hans (1895-1979) and Jaan (1897-1898). He received his education in the village school at Kaansoo and the Suure-Jaani Parish school. His music teacher in the Suure-Jaani parish school was Joosep Kapp, the father of Artur Kapp, another famous Estonian composer. Additionally, Saar's father was a talented organist, who gave him lessons at home.
Mart Saar