How To Play The Kazoo

History of the kazoo.

The kazoo is from a family of musical instruments called mirlitons and is also known as a  clegghorn. Pictured here is the standard kazoo shape. This basic shape has not changed since first designed in the 1840's. You will however find kazoos of several different shapes and sizes.

The one thing that distinguishes a true kazoo from all other instruments is the membrane. This simple piece of wax paper, skin or plastic, when caused to vibrate by the act of humming, gives the kazoo its unique sound.

How to play the kazoo.

While humming is the term typically used to describe the technique required to play a kazoo, a more accurate term would be singing into the kazoo.

A person can hum with their lips completely closed. Humming with your lips closed around the mouthpiece of the kazoo will not change the sound - you must vocalize or "sing" in order for the kazoo to make any sound.

Many people will struggle with getting any sound from a kazoo when instructed to hum. But when instructed to speak "do, do, do..." into the kazoo mouthpiece, the 'hard' vocalization makes a more effective sound.

So, hopefully you will now be able to get a note from you kazoo, and it's just a matter of practice makes perfect!

Have fun - Happy Kazooing.

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