Kazoo!

Since 2010, kazoos have been a mainstay for BUG musicians, rounding out our instrumentals and delighting our audiences wherever we play! We refer to it as our trumpet section! Let's celebrate the history of this wonderful instrument! January 28, is "officially" National Kazoo Day in the U.S., celebrating over 150 years of kazoo playing in America! International Kazoo Day is on February 19! Although the exact time and source of the creation of International Kazoo Day is unknown, according to Kazoobie Kazoos and the internet (which we know is totally factual), it is thought to have developed from a years long effort by the United Nations to find a way to bring all of the countries of the world together in a positive celebration of universal happiness found in the humming along on kazoos of all shapes and sizes from all cultures of the world.

The kazoo is derived from a family of instruments known as mirlitons that create unique sounds through the process of sympathetic vibration caused by the connection of the instrument with human vocal cords. The earliest known mirlitions were thought to have developed in Africa and spread throughout the world. In the United States of America in the middle 1800's the mirliton was re-invented in the form of the "down south submarine" a mirlition device that was later re-named the "kazoo."

Here's a short 4 minute documentary on the history of the kazoo that I think you'll enjoy! Here are some of my favourite kazoo videos in a playlist for your added listening pleasure! And for all your kazoo needs - Mark has kazoos on his Bytown Instruments website.