The kazoo is the official musical instrument of the Red Hat Society. Here's a bit of info for you.

How to play a Kazoo~

• Hum into the large opening of the kazoo. (Don’t blow, just hum.)

• The sound comes out the top.

• The extra air goes out the small end of the kazoo or the “trumpet” end, if you have one of those “fancy-dancy” kazoos.

• If you don’t get a sound, try saying a word like “who” in the kazoo.

Kazoo History~

The kazoo is in the family of musical instruments called “mirlitions.” These instruments make their sound by sympathetic vibration with the human voice. The sound of your humming voice causes the wax paper resonator to vibrate in the kazoo, and the shape of the kazoo helps amplify and project the sound.

The 3 H’s of Basic Kazooing~

• Hold the kazoo in the right position for your work.

• Humming is most important, as it is your unique hum that will set your kazooing apart from other artists.

• Hands are used to accentuate the various emotions of the kazoo. Advanced Kazooing

• Play a musical scale (i.e. do-re-mi-fa-so- and so on).

• Play “Happy Birthday.”

• Make a mosquito sound.

• Make the sound of a fast sports car (followed with the sound of a police siren).

• Play Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.

Kazooing Health/Safety Rules~

• Never stick your kazoo up your nose.

• Do not inhale through your kazoo.

• In subfreezing temperatures, use only plastic model kazoos, since a metal kazoo could become permanently affixed to lips and/or tongue.

• Use a protective covering to keep your kazoo free of purse/pocket lint and/or belly button fuzz.

• Prevent lip fatigue by adhering to short practice sessions, lengthening sessions only when muscles have reached “Schwartzeneger-ian” status.

Kazooing Benefits~

Even if you don’t have an ear for music, humming may help keep your sinuses healthy. A new study shows humming can improve ventilation in the sinuses, which might reduce your risk of developing sinusitis.

CAUTION: Continued kazoo-ing can be very annoying to spouses, neighbors, and co-workers… it’s a “kazoo-envy” thing, don’t “ja” know!