National Kazoo Day, observed each year on January 28, is a celebration of one of the most accessible and entertaining instruments out there—the kazoo. While it’s often seen as a toy or party favor, the kazoo holds a unique place in the musical world.
Technically, it’s a membranophone, which places it in the same family as drums and other instruments that create sound through vibrating a membrane. When you hum into a kazoo, the sound of your voice causes the membrane to vibrate, resulting in the kazoo’s iconic buzzing tone. This simple design makes it easy for anyone, regardless of musical experience, to start playing and creating music.
National Kazoo Day encourages people of all ages to pick up a kazoo, embrace the joy of musical expression, and perhaps even learn a bit about its unexpected role in music history.
Buzzing Through History: The Story and Impact of the Kazoo
The history of the kazoo is wrapped in folklore, with one popular tale tracing its origins to the 1840s. According to the story, Alabama Vest, a black musician from Macon, Georgia, designed the first kazoo concept, collaborating with Thaddeus Von Clegg, a German clockmaker, who crafted the instrument from metal and other simple materials.
The kazoo made its public debut at the Georgia State Fair in 1852, where it quickly captured attention for its easy-to-play design. Although the historical accuracy of Vest and Von Clegg’s partnership is debated, the kazoo’s roots in the American South are well recognized. The instrument gained formal recognition in 1883 when Warren Herbert Frost patented a version of it, solidifying its place as both a toy and a musical instrument.
Beyond the Toy Aisle: The Kazoo’s Place in Music
As the 20th century progressed, the kazoo found a unique niche in American music, from folk and jazz bands to vaudeville acts. It brought a playful, buzzing quality to performances, used by groups like the Original Dixieland Jazz Band and later incorporated into modern music by artists like the Beatles, Beck, and Jimi Hendrix. Though often viewed as a novelty, the kazoo has been woven into diverse musical contexts, from jazz recordings to compositions by notable figures like Leonard Bernstein and Charles Ives. The 1961 musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying famously used kazoos to mimic electric razors, highlighting the kazoo’s knack for adding humor and character.
Today, kazoos continue to be made in Beaufort, South Carolina, home to Kazoobie Kazoos, the only major American manufacturer of plastic kazoos. The Kazoo Museum, also located in Beaufort, celebrates the instrument’s charm and enduring popularity.
Each January 28, National Kazoo Day encourages people of all ages to pick up a kazoo and experience its unique sound. As a bridge between music and play, the kazoo invites everyone to hum along, adding a little extra joy to the day and proving that music can be both simple and meaningful.
When Is National Kazoo Day Celebrated?
If you’re excited to join in the fun of National Kazoo Day, here are the dates for this celebration through 2030. Held each year on January 28, it’s the perfect day to enjoy a bit of musical fun!
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | January 28, Tuesday |
| 2026 | January 28, Wednesday |
| 2027 | January 28, Thursday |
| 2028 | January 28, Friday |
| 2029 | January 28, Sunday |
| 2030 | January 28, Monday |
Fun Facts About the Kazoo
The kazoo may seem like a simple toy, but it has a fascinating history and some unique characteristics. From its distinctive sound to its unexpected role in music, here are a few fun facts that may deepen your appreciation for this little instrument.
- The kazoo amplifies the sound of the human voice, unlike most instruments that produce notes independently. To play a kazoo, you hum into it, which activates its sound.
- Classified as a membranophone, the kazoo produces sound through a vibrating membrane. When you hum, a thin membrane inside vibrates, creating its iconic buzzing tone.
- An entire museum dedicated to the kazoo exists in Beaufort, South Carolina. Visitors to the Kazoo Museum can explore the instrument’s history and even make their own kazoos at the Kazoobie Kazoos Factory.
- During World War I, kazoos found their place in military bands, valued for being lightweight, affordable, and easy to play.
Ways to Celebrate National Kazoo Day
Celebrate National Kazoo Day with a variety of fun activities! From humming catchy tunes to putting on a kazoo performance, this day offers plenty of ways to enjoy some musical fun. Here are a few simple ideas to get you started:
- Grab a kazoo and hum your favorite tunes. It’s easy and requires no special skills—you’ll be making music in seconds!
- Host a kazoo concert with friends or family. Organize a mini performance where everyone plays kazoos together, creating a unique and playful musical experience.
- Dive into kazoo history by visiting a kazoo museum or reading about its origins to appreciate its fascinating journey into popular music.
- Share the fun on social media with #NationalKazooDay and invite others to join the celebration!
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendars 2024-2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
