Kazoo

A kazoo is a unique musical instrument that modifies the human voice.

It belongs to a category of instruments called mirlitons. These are classified as membranophones, which are instruments that produce sound through a vibrating membrane. In a kazoo, this membrane is often made of goldbeater's skin or a material with similar properties. The instrument adds a distinct buzzing timbral quality to the player's vocalization. Because it relies on the player's own voice, it is considered one of the easiest melodic instruments to play. One only needs the ability to vocalize in tune to produce music.

Playing the kazoo requires a specific technique that differs from wind instruments like flutes. Instead of blowing air into the device, a player hums into the wider, flattened side.

This humming creates oscillating air pressure. This pressure causes the internal membrane to vibrate rapidly. The resulting sound is highly responsive to the player. The pitch and loudness of the buzzing change along with the player's humming. Musicians can also produce specific textures by singing different syllables, such as "doo," "too," "who," or "vrrrr."

While the modern kazoo is widely recognized, its history is filled with various iterations. Simple membrane instruments used for vocalizing have existed since at least the 16th century. Some accounts claim an African-American named Alabama Vest invented the kazoo around 1840 in Macon, Georgia. However, there is no documentation to prove this specific claim. In 1879, Simon Seller patented a "Toy Trumpet" that operated on the same principle. His device used a hollow sheet-metal tube with a paper covering over an aperture. This created a musical vibration that was described as pleasing to the ear.

The first official use of the name "kazoo" appeared in a patent issued on January 9, 1883. An American inventor named Warren Herbert Frost received patent #270,543 for the instrument.

Frost's design looked different from the streamlined, submarine shapes used today. His version featured a circular aperture that was elevated above the length of the tube. In 1897, Milan Agrawal patented a wooden version, though it remained obscure. The modern metal kazoo was eventually patented by George D. Smith in 1902.

Mass production of the instrument began in the early 20th century in New York. In 1916, the Original American Kazoo Company started in a small two-room shop in Eden.

They used several dozen jack presses to cut, bend, and crimp metal sheets. These machines were used for many decades to build the instrument. By 1994, the company had grown to produce 1.5 million kazoos per year. They were the only manufacturer of metal kazoos in North America at that time. Today, the site is known as The Kazoo Factory and Museum.

The kazoo is used across many different genres of music and culture. It is a staple in jug bands and comedy music, but it also appears in professional settings. In the 1921 recording "Crazy Blues," drummer Tony Sbarbaro used a kazoo to mimic a trombone solo. The Mills Brothers began their careers as a kazoo quartet performing four-part harmony. Even classical composers have utilized the instrument. Charles Ives' "Yale-Princeton Football Game" uses a kazoo chorus to represent a cheering crowd.

Other artists, like the Beatles and Pink Floyd, have used similar instruments for specific musical effects.

Beyond individual performances, the kazoo has a unique ability to bring large groups together. It is used during the Carnival of Cádiz in Spain and in the murgas in Uruguay. The instrument's popularity can lead to massive, record-breaking events. On March 14, 2011, a group at the Royal Albert Hall set a Guinness World Record.

A total of 3,910 kazooists played Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries." However, a second attempt that same night reached an even higher number. The record was pushed to 5,190 players. This demonstrates the incredible communal joy found in such a simple, buzzing instrument.