"THE DON'T BE KAZOOLESS NEWS!
Winter Edition
January 2012
"Doc Kazoo", Editor & Kazoo Maker
Winter Edition
January 2012
"Doc Kazoo", Editor & Kazoo Maker
FIRST EDITION
Welcome to the first edition of the "Don't Be Kazooless Newsletter". This newsletter will be published four times each year. Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Hopefully it will provide some interesting and useful kazoo information.
If you would like to sign up for an email notice when a new newsletter is posted just send an email to
If you would like to sign up for an email notice when a new newsletter is posted just send an email to
In the subject line enter "Send Me Newsletters".
It is not necessary to add any text in the body of the email unless you have something you wish to ask or a comment to make. You are most welcome to do either. When a new newsletter is posted I will send you an email with a link.
Likewise if you somehow received this newsletter and want to make sure you don't receive another just email to the address above with the subject line reading "Take Me Off The List". I will make sure you are not bothered in the future.
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IN MEMORY OF MS. BARBARA STEWART
Image Property of KazooAmerica Used With Permission
Likewise if you somehow received this newsletter and want to make sure you don't receive another just email to the address above with the subject line reading "Take Me Off The List". I will make sure you are not bothered in the future.
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IN MEMORY OF MS. BARBARA STEWART
Image Property of KazooAmerica Used With Permission
This year the kazoo community lost a great lady and advocate when Ms. Barbara Stewart passed away. This remarkable lady worked tirelessly to have our humble kazoo recognized officially as our national instrument and to establish an Offical National Kazoo Day in America. Her shoes will never be truly filled.
"Barbara Stewart is author of "How To Kazoo" and was the Leader and Kazoo Keeper of Kazoophony. She became a professional kazooist after studying at the Eastman School of Music, when master flute teacher Joseph Mariano told her that everyone ought to be an expert at something. She turned immediately to kazooing – where the field was wide open."
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NATIONAL KAZOO DAY 2012
Be sure and mark January 26th, 2012 on your calender for National Kazoo Day At the Homestead. Celebrations of our humble instrument will be taking place across America throughout January. We celebrate the last Thursday in January. But this is flexible and many Kazooist celebrate different days.
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Annual National Kazoo Day Special Edition Aswego Kazoo
"THE BARBARA STEWART TRIBUTE KAZOO"
Each year I make a Special Edition National Kazoo Day Aswego Kazoo as part of the Kazoo Factory Celebration. This is always a unique kazoo design each year. This year I am pleased to present the 2012 National Kazoo Day "Barbara Stewart Tribute Kazoo".
This years National Kazoo day celebrations is a mixture of joy and sadness. This past year we lost the First Lady Of Kazoos with the passing of Ms. Barbara Stewart. Barbara was the author of "How To Kazoo", Leader and Keeper of the Kazoo for Kazoophony and head of Kazoo America. She worked tirelessly for the establishment of an Official National Kazoo Day and recognition of the kazoo as America's National Instrument. She will be missed by kazooist around the world.
As tribute to Barbara this year I am making a dual resonator kazoo based on an old kazoo patent from last century. The inspiration for this kazoo design came from Kazoo Friends, cliff, captain kazoo and motley over at Yahoo Kazoo Group. Thanks guys and gal!!!
This years National Kazoo day celebrations is a mixture of joy and sadness. This past year we lost the First Lady Of Kazoos with the passing of Ms. Barbara Stewart. Barbara was the author of "How To Kazoo", Leader and Keeper of the Kazoo for Kazoophony and head of Kazoo America. She worked tirelessly for the establishment of an Official National Kazoo Day and recognition of the kazoo as America's National Instrument. She will be missed by kazooist around the world.
As tribute to Barbara this year I am making a dual resonator kazoo based on an old kazoo patent from last century. The inspiration for this kazoo design came from Kazoo Friends, cliff, captain kazoo and motley over at Yahoo Kazoo Group. Thanks guys and gal!!!
Since Barbara's passing management of KazooAmerica and her kazoo interest have shifted to my good kazoo friend Rick Hubbard of Kazoobie Kazoos. I contacted Rick and received permission to dedicate this year's National Kazoo Day Aswego Kazoo to the memory of this Great Kazoo Lady.
The Barbara Stewart Tribute Kazoo is finished and available now at My ArtFire Studio Shop. What really makes this kazoo special is it is the first one ever made, serial number 001 and the only one to bear the name "Barbara Stewart Tribute Kazoo". In fact it is the original, one of a kind, prototype of this beautiful dual resonator kazoo. All future kazoos made of this design will be called "The Hurricane". There will only be one "Barbara Stewart Tribute Aswego Kazoo" and that's this beautiful unique Aswego Kazoo.
The Barbara Stewart Tribute Kazoo is finished and available now at My ArtFire Studio Shop. What really makes this kazoo special is it is the first one ever made, serial number 001 and the only one to bear the name "Barbara Stewart Tribute Kazoo". In fact it is the original, one of a kind, prototype of this beautiful dual resonator kazoo. All future kazoos made of this design will be called "The Hurricane". There will only be one "Barbara Stewart Tribute Aswego Kazoo" and that's this beautiful unique Aswego Kazoo.
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"DOC KAZOO"
ARTIST IN THE SPOTLIGHT
AT ARTFIRE.COM
AT ARTFIRE.COM
I am very proud and humbled by selection as the Artist In The Spotlight at ArtFire.com for December 23, 2011. This is indeed a great compliment for this old kazoo maker. If you would like to read the interview I gave for this selection you can find it at:
http://www.artfire.com/nosh/artisan-spotlight-greataswegokazoofactory/
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THE WORLD FAMOUS CAPTAIN KAZOOZ
If you are a Kazooist who has been around for a few years you probably already know Captain Kazoo. I am very happy to be able call the Captain a kazoo friend. I met the Captain a last year when I first came online with my kazoos. I was immediately given a warm welcome and felt right at home immediately.
The Captain is the World Ambassador for our humble instrument. Over the years he has devoted much to presenting the kazoo not only America with the famous Captain Kazoo Kazoomobile road trips but to the world with The Kazoo Museum and his monthly Webzine "Hum Don't Blow". So be sure and visit the museum and have a look at the webzine for some plain old kazoo fun!
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This picture is the found at Yahoo Kazoo Group
you can get one to print, cut out the pattern and make a
paper kazoo!!!
KAZOOZ AT YAHOO GROUPS
The Kazooz Group at Yahoo is a fantastic place for Kazooist and Kazoo Makers of any shape, size, style or age. If you want to talk serious kazoo or have a laugh or two this is the place for Kazooist to hang out.
This group is headed up by a Great Kazoo Lady, Motley. She has the absolute best collection of old kazoo patents short of the U.S. Patent Office I have ever seen. Lots of great discussions going on all the time. Sometimes the discussion of kazoo dynamics, design and use can get pretty deep and always enjoyable. I got my idea for this years Special Edition Aswego National Kazoo Day Kazoo from the Kazooz Group.
So be sure and stop by and say hello. Tell everybody "Doc Kazoo" sent you!
So be sure and stop by and say hello. Tell everybody "Doc Kazoo" sent you!
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THE NEW AND IMPROVED
HANDMADE ASWEGO RESONATOR MEMBRANE
This past year I have spent several months trying to develope a handmade contemporary style resonator membrane. For years I had always used the traditional manner of making these with plastic and beeswax.
Last summer I noticed a problem with an Aswego Kazoo Owner in Missouri when he left one of his kazoos inside an automobile with outside temps above 100F for a couple days. The membrane ceased to work properly. He sent me the kazoo and immediately upon removing the resonator cap it was apparent the wax seal had been effected by the heat. I also had a similar problem with one order that was shipped to a gentleman that lived in the mountains of Tennessee. Both kazoos had passed final testing just prior to shipping. I have come to the conclusion that the heat caused of the problems and altitude change the other.
It was pretty evident that since my kazoos get their resonator membrane installed at sea level in a moderate climate most times any change in temperature or altitude can have an effect on the beeswax seal. I decided to make my own paper framed comtemporary style resonator membrane that needs no beeswax seal.
Now this would sound like a simple task but let me tell you it wasn't. I lost count at the number of different paper/plastic combinations I tried before finding just the right paper and plastic of just the right thickness. After installing these new membranes on a couple kazoos I tested them for a few weeks with some very primitive prototype membranes while I searched for the proper tools for making them. One of these kazoo's I kept in the house and AC and the other in the workshop in the heat of summer with outside temps over 100F. The one in the house I would carry down to the shop once in a while and take it home at closing so it got more dramatic temperture changes.
The results were fantastic with both kazoos! No change in performance on either kazoo. Not only was this a better design from a performance standpoint it totally simplified the Kazooist replacing a membrane. I have now been installing these new membranes for a couple months with no problems whatsoever. Packages of these new replacement membranes are available at my ArtFire Shop now.
If you are the owner of an Aswego Kazoo with the traditional style resonator membrane design and would like a couple of these new membranes free send me a stamped, self addressed envelope and I will get some off to you.
You can also return your Aswego Kazoo for FREE replacement with a new membrane under your Lifetime Repair/Maintenance Service. Just pay round trip shipping.
For more info email me dockazoo@aswegohomestead.com
On some of my kazoo designs the paper frame on the new design membranes made need slightly trimmed for proper fit.
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HANDMADE ASWEGO RESONATOR MEMBRANE
This past year I have spent several months trying to develope a handmade contemporary style resonator membrane. For years I had always used the traditional manner of making these with plastic and beeswax.
Last summer I noticed a problem with an Aswego Kazoo Owner in Missouri when he left one of his kazoos inside an automobile with outside temps above 100F for a couple days. The membrane ceased to work properly. He sent me the kazoo and immediately upon removing the resonator cap it was apparent the wax seal had been effected by the heat. I also had a similar problem with one order that was shipped to a gentleman that lived in the mountains of Tennessee. Both kazoos had passed final testing just prior to shipping. I have come to the conclusion that the heat caused of the problems and altitude change the other.
It was pretty evident that since my kazoos get their resonator membrane installed at sea level in a moderate climate most times any change in temperature or altitude can have an effect on the beeswax seal. I decided to make my own paper framed comtemporary style resonator membrane that needs no beeswax seal.
Now this would sound like a simple task but let me tell you it wasn't. I lost count at the number of different paper/plastic combinations I tried before finding just the right paper and plastic of just the right thickness. After installing these new membranes on a couple kazoos I tested them for a few weeks with some very primitive prototype membranes while I searched for the proper tools for making them. One of these kazoo's I kept in the house and AC and the other in the workshop in the heat of summer with outside temps over 100F. The one in the house I would carry down to the shop once in a while and take it home at closing so it got more dramatic temperture changes.
The results were fantastic with both kazoos! No change in performance on either kazoo. Not only was this a better design from a performance standpoint it totally simplified the Kazooist replacing a membrane. I have now been installing these new membranes for a couple months with no problems whatsoever. Packages of these new replacement membranes are available at my ArtFire Shop now.
If you are the owner of an Aswego Kazoo with the traditional style resonator membrane design and would like a couple of these new membranes free send me a stamped, self addressed envelope and I will get some off to you.
You can also return your Aswego Kazoo for FREE replacement with a new membrane under your Lifetime Repair/Maintenance Service. Just pay round trip shipping.
For more info email me dockazoo@aswegohomestead.com
On some of my kazoo designs the paper frame on the new design membranes made need slightly trimmed for proper fit.
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SPECIAL ORDER KAZOO UPDATE VIDEO FEEDBACK
As you may know I make Special Order Instruments. That means they are not premade for immediate shipping. They have to be made individually for a specific customer. Each Special Order Kazoo is accompanied by regular video updates on my YouTube Channel of the actual kazoo being made that will be shipped. Feedback from 100% of my Special Order Customers has been thumbs up! Everybody really seems to enjoy watching their kazoo being made and I enjoy sharing the experience with them.
Though I do have a goal of selling kazoos that is not my primary goal by any means. My primary goal is to share the art of "old time" kazoo making with people around the world. These video updates are my primary way of achieving this goal. Response to my Special Order Kazoos has been so great this past year that now over 50% of my kazoo orders are for these instruments. I even had several Special Kazoo orders when I had a ready made kazoo of that design ready for immediate shipping. However the individuals wanted to watch their kazoos being made. I love it because it's kinda like having them drop by the workshop from time to time to check on their kazoo.
So if you got an idea for a kazoo you want made drop me an email and tell me about it. I might just be able to make it for you.
A Few Final Words From The Old Kazoo Maker
I want to thank everybody for the warm reception they have given my kazoos and their kind emails expressing pleasure with my work. This is my greatest reward and pleasure as an old folk artist/instrument maker.
I have Kazooist visit the workshop from time to time. From as far away as Glasglow Scotland to as close as down the road and we all enjoy the visit. Once in a while we will hum some kazoo and pick some guitar. This is what I wish each online Kazooist could experience as I make their special order kazoo. With my video updates I have been able to achieve this to a great degree. Now if I could just add the beautiful smell of wood from the workshop to the video it would be complete. LOL
If you are ever in this neck of the woods and want to drop by just send me an email letting me know when you would like to visit and we will set it up.
Visitors are always welcome by appointment.
Though I do need to sell a few of my kazoos that is not my primary motivation for making them. Each kazoo I ship is not only a quality wooden folk instrument, each are also individual sculptures and my original folk art creations. Each are unique and never exactly alike. When I start a kazoo I often have a general idea of the shape I want to achieve from pictures and drawings of past kazoos. The actual final appearance of a particular kazoo design will be determined by the wood itself as I proceed to shape it. Being handmade in a somewhat primitive style no two Aswego Kazoo's are ever identical! That's what makes them an Original Handmade "Aswego" Folk Kazoo.
More important is the fact that I love being in the workshop making kazoos. Listening to the radio while working and occasionally having to stop work, grab a kazoo and play along with a tune on the radio. Life is good when I move slow but deliberate! As is said in "Zen Kazoo" there are many forms of reward greater than the material. A person with a book cannot always comprehend but with a kazoo they can always know.
More important is the fact that I love being in the workshop making kazoos. Listening to the radio while working and occasionally having to stop work, grab a kazoo and play along with a tune on the radio. Life is good when I move slow but deliberate! As is said in "Zen Kazoo" there are many forms of reward greater than the material. A person with a book cannot always comprehend but with a kazoo they can always know.
Well an old kazoo maker will ramble when talking kazoos! LOL
So I will shut up now. See you next issue of the
"Don't Be Kazooless News"!
"Don't Be Kazooless News"!
I wish each of you a beautiful and happy New Year.
"Doc Kazoo"
The Old Kazoo Maker
"Remember, if you got an Aswego Kazoo you always got a friend.!"
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**HERE IS YOUR "DON'T BE KAZOOLESS NEWS"**
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DON'T BE KAZOOLESS NEWS PUBLISHING SCHEDULE FOR 2012
COPYWRITE DISCLAIMER
Certain Images used in this online publication are the sold property of the individual(s) they represent. Each individual is is provided a link to their website by clicking their image. I make no profit from using these images. If anyone has objection of the use of their image in this newsletter please send an email to dockazoo@aswegohomestead.com and I will immediately remove their image but will retain the narrative on their website with a link. All other portions of this newsletter are the sole property of
"Doc Kazoo" (c) 2011 All Rights Reserved
special deals. Only available to newsletter readers!!!
DON'T BE KAZOOLESS NEWS PUBLISHING SCHEDULE FOR 2012
SPRING EQUINOX | March 20, 1:14 A.M. EDT |
SUMMER SOLSTICE | June 20, 7:09 P.M. EDT |
FALL EQUINOX | September 22, 10:49 A.M. EDT |
WINTER SOLSTICE | December 21, 6:12 A.M. EST |
COPYWRITE DISCLAIMER
Certain Images used in this online publication are the sold property of the individual(s) they represent. Each individual is is provided a link to their website by clicking their image. I make no profit from using these images. If anyone has objection of the use of their image in this newsletter please send an email to dockazoo@aswegohomestead.com and I will immediately remove their image but will retain the narrative on their website with a link. All other portions of this newsletter are the sole property of
"Doc Kazoo" (c) 2011 All Rights Reserved
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