[Dixielandjazz] Blueblowers

[Steven Holzer]

billsharp wrote:
> 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 ?
>
> http://www.dailymotion.com/related/1970987/video/x17yn3_mckenzie-1929_music 
>
>
>
> Bill S.
>
>
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I wondered much the same thing. In another video from the same person, 
Red plays through a megaphone. The kazoo, if that is indeed what it is, 
is also not visible there. It may be splitting hairs, and the musical 
quality is certainly not affected, but I had always understood Red's 
instrument to be the tissue-paper wrapped comb. I would speculate that 
his comb is mounted cross-wise in the can or cup that we see in the one 
video. Maybe somebody who was alive then can speak from personal knowledge.

Steve Holzer