How the comb and paper makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the comb and paper belongs to the singing membranes (mirlitons): a membrane changes the timbre of another sound, as in the kazoo.
More broadly it is one of the membranophones (drums), where sound comes from a vibrating stretched membrane.
Its timbre – the colour that lets you tell it apart from other instruments playing the same note – comes from the mix of overtones its body and resonator emphasise.
From Wikipedia
Comb and paper is a rudimentary musical instrument which consists of a comb with a piece of paper pressed to it. To play it, one has to press their lips to the paper pressed to the comb and sing or vocalize into it. The voice makes the paper vibrate and changes the voice quality. The 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica refers to it as "the comb-music of the nursery". "Comb and paper" belongs to the category of "singing membranophones", sometimes called "mirlitons" after "mirliton", another name for the eunuch flute.
Playing comb and paper is sometimes called "blue-blowing", possibly in reference to Mound City Blue Blowers.
Other singing membranes
Frequently asked questions
What does a comb and paper sound like?
As one of the singing membranes, its sound comes from the way a membrane changes the timbre of another sound, as in the kazoo.
What type of instrument is the comb and paper?
It is classified as singing membranes (mirlitons) (Hornbostel–Sachs 241).
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q83401618 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Comb and paper – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Filippo Bonanni – CC0 1.0