I think I am in the right place for posting this blog. :) At my age I sometimes get lost when I leave the homestead. ;D I understand this is a blog area for members to use so I thought I would start a wee blog here at the Cafe about folk instrument making and playing.
As most everybody knows I am a folk instrument maker that specializes in kazoos. I love making folk instruments of odd unique designs. Over the years I have designed and made all sorts of one of a kind folk instruments. From finger diddley bows to finger pianos and a lot of stuff in between. :D For me there are two places that I can "stop the world" On is in my little home recording studio and the other is my workshop. When I am in either place working on a project the outside world gets kinda shut off. It's a state of mind that I call "Zen Kazoo".
In the workshop I usually always have some sort of Doc Kazoo folk instrument idea in the works. My wife says that I can see a folk instrument in the oddest things. Couple this with the fact that I drive an old pickup truck and you just never know what can happen. I have been known to see a potential folk instrument sitting on the side of the road waiting on the garabage man and bring it back to the workshop. :o When you also add the fact that my local saw mill is 1/2 mile down the road the possibilities are unlimited. 8)
Today I would like to share a new one of a kind folk instrument that I just finished. This instrument has been in the planning stages for years. It started with an old wooden bowl I found at a yard sale. I knew it had potential for some sort of folk instrument, just wasn't sure what. I put it on a shelf in the workshop where it sat for years. Once in a while I would pull it off the shelf, sit it on the work bench and for a few days toss around ideas of how to use it. Then give up and put it back on the shelf. Well about a month ago I can across an old West Bend serving warmer when in the warehouse building looking for something. I had found the key part that I had needed for years!!!! After a month of trial and error testing of ideas I finally have the finished folk instrument and have had the most fun anyone could possibly have creating the Aswego Country Cello. Here's a demonstration of one unique folk instrument ;)
Hope you enjoyed the video and that you have a beautiful zen kazoo moment.
Doc Kazoo The Old Kazoo Maker "forego that which you are for that which you can become"
Glenn:
cool blog spot! I like the title. 8)
Enjoyed the vid and informative blog. That's a really cool instrment, it's like the offspring of a washtub and a fretless bass, who's grandpa was a cello. :P