Kazoos

A kazoo changes your voice into a buzzing tone using a thin membrane, so you do not blow into it like a flute. You play it by singing or humming a melody into the wider opening; airflow alone without your voice will not make the membrane vibrate. It is a small instrument for adding rhythm to a song, music education and your first experiments with tone colour.

Metal, plastic and instrument shape

A metal kazoo tends to be more durable and sharper in sound, while a plastic one is lightweight, affordable and withstands frequent carrying well. More important than a decorative finish are a straight mouthpiece, an undamaged membrane holder and the option to replace the membrane. For use by children, check for smooth edges and choose a model that you can easily wipe clean.

How to produce your first note

Place the mouthpiece against your lips and sing a short “too” or “doo”. The pitch is determined not by the kazoo but by your voice, so you can only play notes that you can sing. Do not press or wet the membrane; let the instrument dry after playing. If you are interested in instruments with their own tuning and traditional origins, compare ethnic whistles. Effect whistles are also useful for sound accents when recording.

Choose a material and shape that feels comfortable to hold, and try your first melody with your voice before playing.