Wherever you go in the world, you will find that every country and culture has certain features that are unique to that part of the region. Even though you may hear steel pan music in all corners of the globe today, you would still be able to attribute it to the Caribbean first and foremost. In fact, the steel drum, which is another name for it, was born in Trinidad, which is the island found in the very south of the Caribbean.
Affectionately known as the 'pan', this instrument came to life in the nineteen thirties, after about 50 or so years of experimenting with various sounds on different metal objects. These metal objects were used as percussion instruments during a time when the hand drums brought by African slaves were banned by the British rule. This ban was a futile attempt to discourage Carnival festivities.
Fifty-five-gallon oil drums were originally used as the starting point for the instrument. These drums were subject to excessive pounding and then polishing to become the instrument we now know. This hand-created method is still the most popular, even though there is another method using sheet metal to begin with. Being the only instrument created in C20, the pan is a permanent part of worldwide history.
This is an instrument that can be played by itself or in groups to create a steel band. The music is celebrated particularly at Carnival time, when special competitions and events are held to determine the greatest band of them all. Spectators are able to join in the vibe and feel the energy of the sound live at these events.
Though the instrument traditionally celebrates local musical genres of calypso and soca in Trinidad & Tobago, it can actually be used in any genre of music. Sounds of the pan can be heard in jazz, pop, reggae and also Latin. It has even been used in rap and hip-hop, for example, in 50 Cent's chart-topping hit "P. I. M. P.". The global reach of the instrument has led to debates over its origins.
There are different types of pan for various tones or pitches. The frontline pans are those that play the melody or counter melody in a song. These include the tenor pan and the double-tenor. Mid-range pans are used to play counter melodies as well as offer harmonies to the melodies of frontline pans. They include the guitar pan, cello pan and quadrophonic pan.
The 4-note bass pan and the dudup are those that have the lowest pitch, and so they are located in the background section. They support with the bass line to drive the beat for the entire band. Other instruments of a percussive nature are used in steel bands, and these are found in a section labeled the engine room.
Certain figures are prominent when discussing the history and development of this unique instrument. Anthony Williams is a big name in the discussion; he was the first to create the pan using oil drums. He is also the creator of the 'spider web' pan, which, due to its layout, has a much higher quality of sound. Winston Simon created the eight-pitch melody pan, while Ellie Mannette is credited with wrapping pan playing sticks with rubber, which greatly refined the sound.
Affectionately known as the 'pan', this instrument came to life in the nineteen thirties, after about 50 or so years of experimenting with various sounds on different metal objects. These metal objects were used as percussion instruments during a time when the hand drums brought by African slaves were banned by the British rule. This ban was a futile attempt to discourage Carnival festivities.
Fifty-five-gallon oil drums were originally used as the starting point for the instrument. These drums were subject to excessive pounding and then polishing to become the instrument we now know. This hand-created method is still the most popular, even though there is another method using sheet metal to begin with. Being the only instrument created in C20, the pan is a permanent part of worldwide history.
This is an instrument that can be played by itself or in groups to create a steel band. The music is celebrated particularly at Carnival time, when special competitions and events are held to determine the greatest band of them all. Spectators are able to join in the vibe and feel the energy of the sound live at these events.
Though the instrument traditionally celebrates local musical genres of calypso and soca in Trinidad & Tobago, it can actually be used in any genre of music. Sounds of the pan can be heard in jazz, pop, reggae and also Latin. It has even been used in rap and hip-hop, for example, in 50 Cent's chart-topping hit "P. I. M. P.". The global reach of the instrument has led to debates over its origins.
There are different types of pan for various tones or pitches. The frontline pans are those that play the melody or counter melody in a song. These include the tenor pan and the double-tenor. Mid-range pans are used to play counter melodies as well as offer harmonies to the melodies of frontline pans. They include the guitar pan, cello pan and quadrophonic pan.
The 4-note bass pan and the dudup are those that have the lowest pitch, and so they are located in the background section. They support with the bass line to drive the beat for the entire band. Other instruments of a percussive nature are used in steel bands, and these are found in a section labeled the engine room.
Certain figures are prominent when discussing the history and development of this unique instrument. Anthony Williams is a big name in the discussion; he was the first to create the pan using oil drums. He is also the creator of the 'spider web' pan, which, due to its layout, has a much higher quality of sound. Winston Simon created the eight-pitch melody pan, while Ellie Mannette is credited with wrapping pan playing sticks with rubber, which greatly refined the sound.
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