BACKGROUND
By hosting the 2010 World Soccer Cup, South Africa has given the world the VUVUZELA. Its use has elicited widely ranging responses from the billions of people who witnessed this extraordinary event. Three major viewpoints have emerged ; those who love it, those who like and tolerate it and those who hate it with a passion. While such differences are to be expected, we should not forget their inherent potential for unification or alienation. The overwhelming spirit of goodwill, commitment and excitement had powerful unifying and integrating effects. Unfortunately the chaotic noise of the vuvuzela angered and alienated huge numbers of people all over the world. A divided nation is always in a state of dis-ease and the apartheid system achieved this with ruthless efficiency. In 1994 South Africans under the leadership of Nelson Mandela consciously decided to take the high road and to build a unified, rainbow nation. The World Cup has showcased to the world just how far we have come along this road less travelled.
As a nation we have proudly demonstrated our ability and commitment to overcome huge social, cultural and racial diversity. We now have another opportunity to turn chaos into order and confusion into clarity and counter the alienation and resentment that our controversial national icon the vuvuzela has set in motion.
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. The Rainbow Nation gave our country the precious gift of peace and in a similar way, the RAINBOW VUVUZELA offers us the harmony and unity of co-created music and song in our stadiums This will enable us as passionate South Africans to hold our heads high and rightfully reclaim our proud African musical tradition and reputation.
Dr Bruce Copley pioneer of South African corporate drumming 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 have been tutored by Bruce Copley, Jamie Cloete and Barbara Kennedy and have formed the Rainbow Vuvuzela Ensemble. They are producing sweet music, sounds, songs and rhythms using conventional vuvuzela’s and have received wide media attention and coverage including German, South Korean and South African National television broadcasts. They were invited to play Happy Birthday and the National Anthem through the Rainbow Vuvuzela on Robben Island to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 92nd birthday. The ensemble was also featured on the official Sony 2010 World Soccer Cup website: http://www.fevacasters.sony.com/video/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
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. There are currently 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 this website : www.aahalearning.com