The word "mirliton" is also used to describe a musical instrument which employs a loose inelastic membrane to modify a sound produced in another way, usually by adding a buzzing or nasal quality to it. The kazoo is a well-known mirliton which alters the sound produced by the human vocal folds. Mirlitons can also be added to the marimba and mbira (or thumb piano), both African percussion instruments. Remember that contraption you might have made out of a comb and waxed paper when you were a kid? That was a mirliton.