Vuvuzela

The vuvuzela is a member of the brass (Hornbostel–Sachs 423.121.12). It originates from South Africa. It dates back to 1995. Listen to 1 recording and learn how it makes its sound.

Listen to the vuvuzela

Vuvuzela single note

0:04CC BY-SA 3.0by DisillusionedBitterAndKnackeredWikimedia Commons

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Tip: press play to see the sound's live frequency spectrum in blue over the waveform.

How the vuvuzela makes its sound

In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the vuvuzela belongs to the brass (lip-vibrated aerophones): the player's buzzing lips set the air column vibrating – trumpets, horns, trombones, tubas and the didgeridoo.

More broadly it is one of the aerophones (wind instruments), where sound comes from vibrating air.

Press play above and watch the spectrum: the evenly spaced peaks are harmonics, and their relative strength is what gives the instrument its character.

From Wikipedia

The vuvuzela is a horn with an inexpensive injection-moulded plastic shell about 65 centimetres (2 ft) long, which produces a loud monotone note typically around B♭ 3 (the first B♭ below middle C). Some models are made in two parts to facilitate storage, and this design also allows pitch variation. Many types of vuvuzela, made by several manufacturers, may produce various intensity and frequency outputs. The intensity of these outputs depends on the blowing technique and pressure exerted.

The vuvuzela is commonly used at football matches in South Africa, and it has become a symbol of South African football as the stadiums are filled with its sound. The intensity of the sound caught the attention of the global football community during the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in anticipation of South Africa hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup.