Author
Gabi Niethammer, as appeared in Alpha1 Journal 2/2025.
Having become curious about this small musical instrument, the Kazoo, I ordered two versions from a music store, one made of plastic and one made of metal, which I would like to compare here.
The plastic kazoo, which I ordered in Alpha1 blue, is incredibly cheap at €1.90. The hole for singing into is quite large, and I find it a little difficult to close my lips tightly around it. Instinctively, I blow into it, and nothing happens! Of course, since I have to produce sounds for the device to start vibrating. A simple "lalala" sounds quite amusing and intentionally distorted. I fervently try to sing "Shine on you crazy diamond" and am surprised by how much concentration and gentle pressure I have to exert to make it produce a sound. My lungs are definitely getting a pleasant workout.
The metal kazoo, attractively designed in silver and gold and available for €4.90, has an oval opening, which I find much easier to use, as my lips close around it more easily. My Crazy Diamond kazoo sounds much more "crazy" on it, and I really like the version of "The Cuckoo and the Donkey." It sounds even more interesting and distorted than the plastic version, and my lungs get a good workout from the small, rhythmic pulses. My impression is that it definitely makes sense to buy such a small training device if you want to challenge and strengthen your lungs with gentle, rhythmic pulses. The cool thing about it is that it doesn't matter whether you can sing well or not, because the sounds are intentionally distorted anyway. Personally, I prefer the metal kazoo; I find it to be of higher quality and also more comfortable to use. The music store recommends the plastic one as a musical instrument for children.
If you don't have a music store nearby, you'll also have to factor in shipping costs. How about purchasing it together, for example, as part of a lung exercise group, to save on postage? I can easily imagine it being used there, just as much as at home. Here's to some happy singing!
