Aaha Learning, Pringle Bay, Western Cape, South Africa
bruce@aahalearning.com www.aahalearning.com tel 028 273 8261 028 273 8261
THE CURRENT SITUATION
The use of the Vuvuzela in our stadiums during the 2009 Confederation Cup in South Africa elicited a very negative response from many players, officials and tens of thousands of spectators. Because of this outcry FIFA seriously considered banning the use of the Vuvuzela during the 2010 World Cup but eventually decided against doing this.
There are currently 2 opposing camps… those who support its use and those who strongly favour its banning. It is quite clear now that the only grounds for a FIFA ban would be crowd violence in which the Vuvuzela was used as a weapon…..its shape, length and weight ensure that it can be used very effectively for this purpose.
Besides the Vuvuzela orchestra proposal by Pedro Espi Sanchis and a more recent move to encourage spectators to use earplugs, little appears to have been done to come up with a creative solution that would satisfy both camps. The internet reveals some alarming facts about the Vuvuzela. There is mounting scientific evidence that when played on mass as is currently being done, it constitutes a significant recreational risk for noise induced hearing loss that far exceeds legally permissible occupational noise exposure levels in South Africa (Recent study done by Pretoria University Pathology Department). To further complicate matters there are serious potential legal implications for both FIFA and the SAFA that could arise from hearing damage claims filed by spectators exposed to these dangerously high noise levels. The design of our new stadiums contain and amplify sounds produced in them which significantly exacerbates the problem. A report of 2 independent scientific studies that outline and explain the very real dangers facing soccer fans in the 2010 stadiums, is available on request from the author
If the Vuvuzela is played as it has been in the past there can be little doubt that large numbers of spectators will incur hearing damage, high levels of irritation, emotional stress and anger, even for those wearing ear protection.
There is an ominously strong possibility that our World Cup could go down in history as the most unpleasant “ white noise “ event ever staged anywhere in the world.
The burning question then is there a single more pressing issue facing 2010 World Cup officials than solving the Vuvuzela dilemma ?
THE RAINBOW VUVUZELA
Virtually all Vuvuzela designers, manufactures, distributors, players, fans and critics have only experienced one loud sound or note(B flat in the standard model) being produced by what is essentially a valveless trumpet or bugle. In reality this instrument can produced a wide range of very pleasing notes, sounds and tunes.
I am offering is a simple, creative and effective solution that could significantly change the experience and perceptions of organizers, players, spectators and critics for the following reasons:
- With a few quick and simple techniques and a bit of practice any Vuvuzela enthusiast can learn to :
- Play multiple trumpet notes on the Vuvuzela instead of a single trumpet note or sound.
- Produce a delightful range of sweet sounding African Penny Whistle notes without the need for any modifications to the Vuvuzela irrespective of its size, length, shape, design or type of material.
- By combining and alternating no less than 4 different sounds namely TRUMPET, FLUTE, SINGING and WHISTLING, the vuvuzela can be transformed into A TRULY UNIQUE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSICAL INSTRUMENT capable of producing “ rainbow sounds “ never before heard en masse in a stadium…..a beautiful tribute and expression of our unique rainbow nation.
- By using the Vuvuzela as a natural megaphone any singing or whistling sounds can be significantly amplified. Done collectively and given the natural singing and rhythmic ability of many soccer fans, this could be something quite extraordinary. The Mexican wave which is a visual treat could be also become a stunning musical expression and create a unique experience for both participants and observers.
- Players can begin to create simple rhythms and riffs and play together in unison instead of randomly and chaotically
- It is even possible with a minor modification to a standard vuvuzela, to play tunes such as our national anthem, amazing grace, sweet chariot, etc using the techniques described above.
PROPOSAL
To achieve the objectives outlined above the following steps will be taken :
- Wide media exposure to demonstrate the Rainbow Vuvuzela to as many people as possible. This will include Television, Radio, Newspaper, Internet, Mobile Phones, etc. Demonstrations of the Rainbow vuvuzela have been posted on You Tube, will be featured on the official 2010 Sony website and will also be presented in the SABC 2 Rainbow Rhythms television series.
- Public demonstrations at major centers, stadiums, shopping centers, soccer fan clubs, etc
- Using these platforms interested participants will be recruited and trained to play beautiful music with their vuvuzela’s. They will become part of the Rainbow Vuvuzela Ensemble who will give public performances. Some of these performers will receive special training in order to become Rainbow Vuvuzela coaches/tutors who will then introduce this exciting discovery to other interested parties. This process has already commenced and involves enthusiastic Muizenburg High School students who are AfriOceans Warriors, a proactive environmental group that was created in 2009. The world famous Amy Biehl foundation will also be involved in this process.
- We will require sponsorship to cover our consulting fees(R1500/facilitator/hour or part thereof plus Vat), our transport, accommodation, training materials(Vuvuzelas, pipes, handouts) and payments of R300 per session to the coaches/tutors plus their transport and accommodation
FEEDBACK FROM SOME EXCITED ROLE PLAYERS
Mr Neil van Schalkwyk the father of the Vuvuzela that he introduced to South Africa in 1998 :
“ It is with a lot of glee and satisfaction that I write in response to the fantastic work you have done in developing the Rainbow Vuvuzela…..you have come up with a solution to create sweet music with the vuvuzela….traditional football supporters have only known one way of blowing the vuvuzela……we look forward to working with you in taking the vuvuzela to a new level through the beautiful music it will now create….considering the potential impact your revolutionary method will have on the way we celebrate football in South Africa, I see the rest of the world embracing our culture for years to come “
Mr Kevin Chaplin, Director of the Amy Biehl Foundation
“ We are very excited about the Rainbow Vuvuzela……..we are keen for a training session for all our 52 facilitators and co-ordinators……we are also very excited for the 1446 children in our programmes being given this opportunity…..they come from the townships of Guguletu, Nyanga, Crossroads, Langa and Mammenberg……we are eagerly awaiting to start this exciting project “
Dr Henning Gericke, Sport Psychologist
This celebrated sport psychologist who worked with Jake White and the 2007 World Rugby Cup champions is very excited about the Rainbow Vuvuzela and has given it his full support. He would like it introduced to our Bafana Bafana players so that they can produce beautiful music with it and inspire and motivate their followers to do the same..