Kazoos

A kazoo is a musical instrument that adds a "buzzing" nasal tone to a person's humming. It is a member of the *mirliton* family of instruments, which are essentially musical wind instruments that modify the sound of the player's voice using a vibrating membrane. Kazoos are often used for humorous or novelty purposes and are generally considered simple to play.

To play a kazoo, one hums into the larger end of the instrument. The sound vibrations from the hum cause the thin membrane inside the kazoo to vibrate, producing the characteristic buzzing sound. Blowing into a kazoo will not produce a musical tone; the player must hum or vocalize. The pitch and melody are determined by the player's vocalizations, with the kazoo acting as a tone modifier.

Kazoos are typically made of plastic or metal and consist of a mouthpiece, a body, and a membrane cover. The membrane is often made of thin paper or plastic film. The history of the kazoo can be traced back to Africa, with similar instruments existing for centuries. The modern kazoo design was patented in the United States in the mid-19th century. They are popular among amateur musicians and in casual settings due to their ease of use and distinctive sound.