Make a "professional" Kazoo From PVC Pipe

Intro: Make a "professional" Kazoo From PVC Pipe

This instructable will show you how to make a neat looking and sounding kazoo from PVC pipe, a tee fitting and a plastic bag.

STEP 1: Materials Needed

You will need a piece of PVC pipe about ten inches long. I used 1/2 inch, but other sizes will probably work as well.
You also need a tee fitting the same size as your pipe.
Finally you'll need a small piece (about 2 inches square)of a plastic grocery bag.

STEP 2: Cut the Pipe

Cut the pipe into three pieces. The sizes are approximately 6 inches, 3 inches and 1 inch. They don't need to be exact. You can cut these with a saw or buy a PVC pipe cutter for about $10 (I'd suggest the cutter).

STEP 3: Add the Diaphragm

Take the smallest piece of pipe. Hold the piece of the plastic bag on one end and insert that into the "top" of the tee. Push it down until it's snug but not too tight. You may have to wiggle it around until you get the best sound.
Then add the other pieces of pipe, one to each end of the tee.

STEP 4: Playing the Kazoo

Hum into the 4 inch end. The diaphragm should vibrate. If it doesn't, take out the short piece of PVC and try again. If the piece of plastic bag tears, just use another one.

You can make all kinds of variations of this design using different lengths of PVC and different connectors.

Have fun!!!

Comments

[barrelhouse_solly]

I've been making kazoos since the early '60s when I got into jug band music. The paper diaphragms in the store bought kind wore out very fast. My earliest success was with a y connector for a garden hose using tissue paper coated with airplane dope glued to a hose washer. I later moved to sheet plastic. I have been using PVC pipe for the last couple of years. My ex-musical co-conspirator showed me that shrink wrap works great as a diaphragm and there's no need to glue it to the washer. The pic is my current workhorse. The aluminum funnel is from my dad's dime store c 1970.

[T.J.W]

I am a Webelos Scout leader that trains other leaders at a monthly "round table" meeting. I was wondering if I may use some of your images in a handout of ideas and direct them to your instructable.

[pete.wicker.7]

Simple to make, works great I cut 6 for a S.T.E.M. Camp in a few minutes. I did sand all the edges so the boys would not get cut on any sharp edges. I took less than a minute to assemble. Great idea my older 16 yr old life scout loved the prototype.

[motleyjust]

If you use fine sandpaper to smooth and round the edges of the pipe that the diaphragm goes over, it is a lot less likely to tear. I am curious as to why you say it is a "professional" kazoo.

[mdlmusic]

I called mine a "professional" kazoo, because it looks more like what you would buy in a store than the other kazoos on the Instructables site.

[mdlmusic]

Sorry about the typo in step 4. The first sentence should read "Hum into the 3 inch end."

[lieuwe]

you know that you can just change that?