Tuesday, 1 March 2016

What Makes Steel Pan Music Unique

By Dennis Wright


Every region of the world has distinctive aspects that are native to a particular country and its culture. Steel pan music can be found all over the world, but is easily recognizable as a feature of the Caribbean. More specifically, the birth of the steel pan - or steel drum - is on the southern-most Caribbean island of Trinidad.

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.

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.

The pan can be played alone or with other pans in what is called a steel band. The music is prominent during Carnival, and there are special events and competitions held to capture the title of the greatest band overall. Spectators are able to participate in the events and support the players live, enjoying the vibrant energy of the music.

Even though the instrument is primarily used to celebrate Trinidad's own musical genres of calypso and soca, it has been used across the board in music. Pop music, jazz, reggae and Latin have all been subjected to the influence of the pan. Even rapper 50 Cent has used a sample of the instrument in his billboard hit "P. I. M. P.". Because of its global reach, there has been much debate about which country can really claim the instrument.

There are various pan types for different pitches, or tones. Those pans found in the frontline section play the melodies and counter melodies because they have the highest pitch. These are namely the tenor and double-tenor pans. In the mid-range, the quadrophonic, cello and guitar pans play harmonies and also counter melodies.

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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