In every part of the world, there is a particular set of factors that can be attributed to one country or culture. Though steel pan music is now heard worldwide, it is known as a sound that is unique to the Caribbean. After all, the birth of this instrument, also called a steel drum, happened in the Caribbean's most southern island of Trinidad.
The 'pan' - as it is affectionately referred to on the island - was created in the 1930s, after a long period of experimenting with various metal objects to use as percussion instruments. This happened as a result of the African hand drums, which had been brought to the region during the slavery period - being banned by British rulers over half a century before. This had been an attempt to suppress festivities associated with Carnival.
The drum was originally created using huge 55-gallon oil drums. These were pounded and polished to created the instrument as we know it today. This method is still one of the most widely used methods to make the steel pan, thought sheet metal as a starting point is also used. This is the only instrument to be invented during the 20th century, putting it in the history books forever.
You can play the pan by itself, or combine many into a steel band. The music features mainly around Carnival, and there are lots of competitions and other events where bands are pitted against one another to show off their skills. As a spectator, you can experience the energy of the rhythm up close and personal by listening to it live.
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 individuals are widely acknowledged in the creation and development of this instrument. Winston 'Spree' Simon was the first to create the eight-pitch pan used for melodies. Anthony Williams, who first used the oil drums as the starting point for the instrument, created the 'spider web' pan, the layout of which is conducive to producing a very high quality of sound. Covering the playing sticks with rubber for a finer sound is attributed to Ellie Mannette.
The 'pan' - as it is affectionately referred to on the island - was created in the 1930s, after a long period of experimenting with various metal objects to use as percussion instruments. This happened as a result of the African hand drums, which had been brought to the region during the slavery period - being banned by British rulers over half a century before. This had been an attempt to suppress festivities associated with Carnival.
The drum was originally created using huge 55-gallon oil drums. These were pounded and polished to created the instrument as we know it today. This method is still one of the most widely used methods to make the steel pan, thought sheet metal as a starting point is also used. This is the only instrument to be invented during the 20th century, putting it in the history books forever.
You can play the pan by itself, or combine many into a steel band. The music features mainly around Carnival, and there are lots of competitions and other events where bands are pitted against one another to show off their skills. As a spectator, you can experience the energy of the rhythm up close and personal by listening to it live.
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 individuals are widely acknowledged in the creation and development of this instrument. Winston 'Spree' Simon was the first to create the eight-pitch pan used for melodies. Anthony Williams, who first used the oil drums as the starting point for the instrument, created the 'spider web' pan, the layout of which is conducive to producing a very high quality of sound. Covering the playing sticks with rubber for a finer sound is attributed to Ellie Mannette.
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