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How to Make a Kazoo With Foil

A kazoo is a musical instrument made from a hollow tubular shape that has a membrane inside of it. The membrane vibrates when the musician hums or sings into it. The sounds are amplified as they travel along the tube and echoes are formed as they bounce back and forth. The kazoo is therefore a type of resonator. To make a kazoo with foil, cover one end of a tube with a small piece of aluminum foil. The tube may be made with a toilet paper or paper towel roll. The foil helps make a sound that is higher-pitched than a membrane made with wax paper.

Things You'll Need

Paper towel roll
Aluminum foil
Hole punch, pen or pencil
Rubber band
Scissors
Wrapping paper
Tape

Instructions

- 1
  Cover the body of the paper towel roll with wrapping paper. Make sure that the paper does not cover the holes at either end. Secure it with tape so it does not slide off.
- 2
  Make a round hole on one side of the tube. This may be done with a hole punch, scissors, pen or pencil. The hole must be at least 2 inches from one end.
- 3
  Cut a square from the aluminum foil. It must be large enough to cover one end of the tube. One suggested size is 4 inches by 4 inches.
- 4
  Wrap the piece of foil around the roll end that is nearest to the hole and hold it in place with a rubber band. If necessary, wrap the rubber band around the tube twice to get the necessary tautness. The device is now a kazoo.
- 5
  Hum into the uncovered end of the kazoo. Keep your mouth open as you do so. For best results, make sure your mouth is close enough to prevent air from escaping from the side. Try singing into the kazoo as well.

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