National Kazoo Day is celebrated annually on January 28. The holiday was founded in 1983 by Isaac Gum to honor the only musical instrument invented in the United States.
Although the kazoo was commercialized in the mid-19th century, the day was established to recognize its role as a democratic instrument—anyone who can hum can play it. The purpose of the day is to spread joy through music and celebrate this unique instrument.
The kazoo is often mistaken for a toy, but it holds a special place in music history. It is technically a membranophone, meaning it produces sound through a vibrating membrane. When you hum into a kazoo, your voice causes the wax paper membrane inside to vibrate, creating its special buzzing sound. You do not blow into a kazoo; you hum into it.
The Story and Impact of the Kazoo
Popular folklore says that Alabama Vest, a Black musician, developed the idea for the instrument in the 1840s. He is said to have worked with a German clockmaker Thaddeus von Clegg, who helped build it from metal. Together, they reportedly introduced the kazoo at the Georgia State Fair in 1852.
This story cannot be fully verified, but the kazoo’s strong roots in the American South are widely accepted, along with its connection to earlier African instruments that produce sound through vibration. In 1883, the kazoo gained formal legal recognition when Warren Herbert Frost received the first official patent using the name kazoo.
The Kazoo’s Place in Music
During the 20th century, the kazoo carved out a small but memorable place in American music. It appeared in folk, jazz, and vaudeville performances, where its buzzing sound added humor and texture. Early jazz groups such as Original Dixieland Jazz Band used it, and later it showed up in modern music through artists like The Beatles, Beck, and Jimi Hendrix. Although often treated as a novelty, the kazoo has also appeared in serious musical settings, including works by composers such as Leonard Bernstein and Charles Ives. In 1961, the musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying famously used kazoos to imitate electric razors, showing how the instrument can add character and humor.
Today, kazoos are still made in Beaufort, South Carolina, by Kazoobie Kazoos, the only major American producer of plastic kazoos. The Kazoo Museum, also located in Beaufort, preserves the history of the instrument.
When Is National Kazoo Day Celebrated?
Each January 28, National Kazoo Day encourages people of all ages to pick up a kazoo and experience its unique sound.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | January 28, Wednesday |
| 2027 | January 28, Thursday |
| 2028 | January 28, Friday |
| 2029 | January 28, Sunday |
| 2030 | January 28, Monday |
Did You Know? Facts About the Kazoo
The kazoo may seem like a 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
National Kazoo Day is easy to observe. You do not need musical training or special equipment beyond a kazoo. 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.
- Learn about kazoo history by visiting a kazoo museum or reading about its origins.
- Share the fun on social media with #NationalKazooDay and invite others to join the celebration!
