The 2010 Soccer World Cup was a resounding success but the same cannot be said of our controversial national icon the VUVUZELA. This horn was noisily introduced to hundreds of millions of people all over the world. Three different camps emerged ; those who loved it, those who were prepared to tolerated it and those who hated it. Unification within camps and animosity between camps was intense and vociferous. Television audiences in particular were strongly opposed to the use of the vuvuzela in the world cup. This overwhelming negative response has resulted in a world wide Vuvuzela ban which includes the European Soccer Federation as well as a growing number of other sports such as rugby, cricket, tennis, volleyball and baseball. There was even talk of banning the vuvuzela in all South African stadiums. In a nutshell our national icon has set into motion much anger, resentment, confusion, alienation and controversy both in South Africa and abroad.
There can be little doubt that 2 major factors have contributed to the vuvuzela’s infamous reputation firstly its volume and secondly and most importantly it’s monotonous single note(B flat) sound. While banning the vuvuzela appears to be the only alternative, few people are aware that this sour sonic dilemma has a much simpler and sweeter solution. Let us never forget that as South Africans we have a proud record of overcoming huge social, cultural and racial challenges that few other countries can match. The recent “Miracle Rising” documentary magnificently demonstrates our ability to create miracles.
THE SOLUTION
Many years ago John Lennon’s famous song IMAGINE, invited us to consider new and better ways to live, love and learn more harmoniously, peacefully and productively. In 1994 Nelson Mandela birthed our Rainbow Nation as an alternative to decades of discrimination and alienation and demonstrated that Lennon’s vision could be more than just a song.
In much the same way that Mandela’s vision transformed a black/white South Africa into a Rainbow nation, the black/white noise produced by the vuvuzela can be transformed into a RAINBOW VUVUZELA that produces a multitude of sweet musical notes.
Dr Bruce Copley pioneer of South African corporate drumming in the early 90’s has made an exciting discovery that miraculously transforms the vuvuzela into a sweet sounding, multi-noted musical instrument. This revolutionary discovery a world first, offers a simple, creative and effective solution to the controversial white noise produced by the vuvuzela. Using it as a natural megaphone that amplifies singing and whistling, anyone can immediately start playing the RAINBOW VUVUZELA. With a little practice and a few simple techniques, multiple trumpet and African penny whistle notes, tunes and riffs and even songs such as our national anthem, amazing grace, sweet chariot, etc can be produced.
Neil van Schalkwyk the father of the modern vuvuzela who started mass producing them in South Africa in 2001, has this to say about the Rainbow Vuvuzela…..You have done fantastic work developing the Rainbow Vuvuzela and have come up with a solution to create sweet music with it….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, I see the rest of the world embracing our culture for years to come “
Students from the Muizenberg High school were tutored by Bruce Copley, Jamie Cloete and Barbara Kennedy and created the Rainbow Vuvuzela Ensemble shown below.
The ensemble produced sweet music, sounds, songs and rhythms using conventional vuvuzela’s. They received wide media attention and coverage including German, South Korean and South African national television broadcasts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZVZRiDWj_E ( 10 sec)
They were invited to perform on Robben Island to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 92nd birthday in 2010. The ensemble was also featured on the official Sony 2010 World Soccer Cup website:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzgyBPyjPRI (3.5 min)
Dr Bruce Copley demonstrates the many sweet sounds that can be produced with the vuvuzela on this You Tube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cm5nnzC2h4&feature=related (3.5 min)
WHY WOULD SOCCER FANS WANT TO PLAY THE VUVUZELA DIFFERENTLY
Virtually all soccer fans are under the mistaken impression that they can only produce a single, loud note on their vuvuzela’s with the only variables being volume and rhythm. This is akin to a driver who uses only the first gear of his car because he does not know others are available. It is our contention that with few exceptions, human beings will always prefer to produce or listen to melodious music rather than to only play or listen to white noise. We are confident that when the millions of vuvuzela fans in South Africa and abroad become aware of the sweet sounds, riffs and music possible with the vuvuzela, many of them will take up the challenge and begin this much needed musical transformation. With the sounds produced by the Rainbow Vuvuzela we will be able to hold our heads high and reclaim our proud South African musical tradition of being able to produce beautiful music, songs, dances and rhythms.
IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE RAINBOW VUVUZELA AND THE VUVUZELA ORCHESTRA ?
The Vuvuzela Orchestra was introduced to South Africa a number of years ago by the acclaimed “music man” Pedro Espi Sanchis. He created 4 orchestra’s each a performing group of trained players who use specially modified vuvuzela’s to produce pleasing music. In contrast and not in competition, the Rainbow Vuvuzela is a simple technique or way of playing the Vuvuzela that anyone can begin doing instantly in order to produce sweet music with any vuvuzela irrespective of its size, shape or composition and without any modifications to it.
For further information or details contact Dr Bruce Copley on tel 083 459 9894 or bruce@aahalearning.com or visit his website: www.aahalearning.com