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.
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.
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.
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.
The percussion instrument has always traditionally been used to celebrate Trinidad & Tobago's calyso and soca music. However, it can recreate any musical genre. There are samples of pan jazz music, reggae, pop and even Latin. The instrument has been found in hip hop music, used by rapper 50 Cent in his single "P. I. M. P.". Because of its growing popularity, there are often arguments over the origin of the instrument.
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.
Those pans with the lowest pitch are found in the background section of the band. They provide the bass line which the entire band will follow for any particular song. The dudup and the 4-note bass pan are found here. Other percussion instruments are often used in a steel band, and they are located in a section of the band called 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.
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.
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.
The percussion instrument has always traditionally been used to celebrate Trinidad & Tobago's calyso and soca music. However, it can recreate any musical genre. There are samples of pan jazz music, reggae, pop and even Latin. The instrument has been found in hip hop music, used by rapper 50 Cent in his single "P. I. M. P.". Because of its growing popularity, there are often arguments over the origin of the instrument.
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.
Those pans with the lowest pitch are found in the background section of the band. They provide the bass line which the entire band will follow for any particular song. The dudup and the 4-note bass pan are found here. Other percussion instruments are often used in a steel band, and they are located in a section of the band called 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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