[Dixielandjazz] Blueblowers

[David Richoux]

Steve and all,

It is a bit hard to tell from that film, but I think that Tin Can he  
used is completely open (at both ends) and was more like a megaphone  
or sound direction tube - not an actual membranophone. You can see  
his lips - no wax paper in there.

I think he is "just" making the trumpet sounds with his mouth - like  
the Mills Brothers did later - on the first song. For the 2nd song, I  
don't know.

The dancing bit was real, I think. No trick photography or computer  
generated effects... ;-)

Dave Richoux

On Apr 13, 2008, at 1:25 PM, Stephen G Barbone wrote:

>> <sharp-b at clearwire.net> wrote:
>> Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Blueblowers
>>
>>
>> In this video of the Blueblowers, does anyone have any ideas on  
>> how the
>> melody is being played?  Sounds like like kazoo, but I can't see one.
>> All I can see is a metal cup.  Did he have a hole in it through which
>> he blew, or what?  Also what do you think the wrapping is, on  
>> which the
>> the drummer is beating ?
>
> Hill Bill:
>
> Just a guess but I think that cup is a form of kazoo. All you need  
> for a kazoo is a metal tube, open at both ends, with a membrane  
> that vibrates as you hum or sing into it. The membrane can be in  
> the middle, or on top like the standard kazoos, like the ones we  
> played as kids.  There are all sorts of variants. Tony Spargo,  
> (Sbabaro) played one that looked like a trumpet at Nick's in NYC  
> back in the 40s and 50s.
>
> McKenzie is also playing his comb on those tunes I think. Quick  
> switches.
>
> I think the suitcase wrapper was plain wrapping paper.
>
> Cheers,
>