Comb and paper is a rudimentary

musical instrument A musical instrument is a device created or adapted to make musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can be considered a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. A person who pl ...

which consists of a

comb A comb is a tool consisting of a shaft that holds a row of teeth for pulling through the hair to clean, untangle, or style it. Combs have been used since prehistoric times, having been discovered in very refined forms from settlements dating ba ...

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 A notable ongoing event was the Comparison of the Amundsen and Scott Expeditions, race for the South Pole. Events January * January 1 – A decade after federation, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory ...

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 The Mound City Blue Blowers were an American novelty jazz ensemble, formed in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. It was co-founded by Red McKenzie and Jack Bland and performed from 1923 to 1936. First assembled in 1923, the group's original membe ...

. Comb and paper used to be one of many improvised musical instruments to accompany

country–western dance Country–western dance encompasses any of the dance forms or styles which are typically danced to country-western music, and which are stylistically associated with American country and/or western traditions. Many are descended from dances brought ...

Notable uses

The 1923-1936 jazz band

had Red McKenzie playing comb and

tissue paper Tissue paper or simply tissue is a lightweight paper or, light crêpe paper. Tissue can be made from recycled pulp (paper), paper pulp on a paper machine. Tissue paper is very versatile, and different kinds of tissue are made to best serve these ...

. The unusual noises heard in the

Beatles The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all time and were integral to the developme ...

song " Lovely Rita" after the lines "and the bag across her shoulder / made her look a little like a military man" were made with a comb and paper.

Jimi Hendrix James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942September 18, 1970) was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most ...

played comb and paper on his 1968

single Single may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Single (music), a song release Songs * "Single" (Natasha Bedingfield song), 2004 * "Single" (New Kids on the Block and Ne-Yo song), 2008 * "Single" (William Wei song), 2016 * "Single", by ...

recording of " Crosstown Traffic". Lyricist Dorothy Fields wrote the line ‘''I’m tissue paper on a comb''’ in the song ‘''I’m A Brass Band''’ sung by

Shirley MacLaine Shirley MacLaine (born Shirley MacLean Beaty, April 24, 1934) is an American actress, author, and former dancer. Known for her portrayals of quirky, strong-willed and eccentric women, MacLaine has received numerous accolades over her seven-dec ...

in the movie ''Sweet Charity''. Graham Nash played comb and paper on "Sleep Song" from his 1971 album, '' Songs for Beginners''. In 2015, IT consultant Narinder Dhani performed " Eye of the Tiger" and " The Final Countdown" on a comb-and-paper as a contestant on '' Britain's Got Talent (series 9)''.Archived a
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Song titles

*1950: "The Comb and Paper Polka", by Doris Day *1955: "Comb and Paper Blues", from a single by

Ivor Kirchin Ivor Kirchin (21 January 1905 – 22 January 1997) was a British band leader, and the father of noted composer Basil Kirchin (1927–2005). History Born in London, Ivor Kirchin was the leader, singer, drummer, conductor and business manager fo ...

*1967: "Camp", by

Sir Henry and his Butlers Sir Henry and his Butlers was a Danish rock- pop group which was formed during the summer of 1964 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The group is mostly known for its two front figures Ole "Sir Henry" Bredahl and especially Tommy Seebach and also the song "Let ...

*1971: "My Lady (Nana)" / "Tissue Paper & Comb", a single by

Clive Dunn Clive Robert Benjamin Dunn (9 January 19206 November 2012) was an English actor. Although he was only 48 and one of the youngest cast members, he was cast in a role many years his senior, as the elderly Lance Corporal Jones in the BBC sitcom ' ...

References

* {{Membranophones Continuous pitch instruments Singing membranophones

Notable uses

Song titles

See also

References