Steel drums or what we called Steel Pan were originally created on the island of Caribbean, Trinidad in year 1930s.However, Steel Pan’s history can be traced back to the confined Africans who were brought to the islands during the 1700s (Steelpan-steeldrums-information.com par. 1). They had taken with them components of their Africa lifestyle such as the enjoying of hand percussion. 2). Hand drums are percussion at Africa called Membranophones. These drums became the main percussion gadgets in the yearly Trinidadian event festivities.
In year 1877, the judgment English Government prohibited the playing of percussion in an effort to reduce factors of Circus, which were considered unpleasant. Bamboo stamping tubes have replaced the hand drums, as it is comparable to sound that hand drums are making being pounded to the ground. These are called tamboo bamboo bands, (tubes were played in ensembles.) There were other non-traditional instruments that are also used in tamboo bamboo bands such as scrap metal, metal containers, graters and dustbins. However, by the 1930’s the tamboo bamboo bands were dominated by metal instruments. The bamboo bedding pipes were eventually discontinued and replaced by the metal equipment.
These early metal pan bands were a traditional mixture of a wide range of metal containers and kitchen tools, which were hit with, open hands, fists or stays.Through analysis, chance, analysis, and inventiveness on the part of numerous founders, the metal pan bands progressed into the metal pan family of equipment. The metal pan players discovered that the raised places of the metal bins made a different sound to those places that were flat.
There were several innovators of steel pan history who made significant contributions to the development of this instrument. For instance, there is Mr. Winston 'Spree' Simon who was credited with creating the first ‘melody pan’, which carried eight pitches. This was the first pan that could accommodate an entire melody (Steelpan-steeldrums-information.com par. 3). Next is Mr. Ellie Mannette who then certified with being the first to wrap the playing sticks with rubber (which softened the attack and produced a more refined tone)(Steelpan-steeldrums-information.com par. 3). Mannette also was first to sink the surface of a pan into its now distinctive concave shape (this allowed for more pitches to be placed on the playing surface) (Steelpan-steeldrums-information.com par. 3).He is also recognized as the principal developer and innovator of the steel drum. In his formative years, he fabricated instruments from discarded 55-gallon steel oil drums and is credited with bringing the art form out of social ostracism(Steelpan-steeldrums-information.com par. 3). Mr. Anthony Williams credited with inventing the ‘spider web pan’, which was designed in a cycle of fourths and fifths. Pans with intervallic formulas are easier to tune and produce a higher quality sound (Steelpan-steeldrums-information.com par. 3). This layout is now the most popular and accepted design for tenor (lead) pans. Williams was also recognized with being one of the first in steel pan history to use large 55-gallon drums as beginning material for the pans(Steelpan-steeldrums-information.com par. 3), a tradition that continues to this day and Mr. Bertie Marshall who was credited with inventing the double tenor pan. In addition, Marshall acknowledgedthat the sun had negative effects on the steel pans and decided to replace canopies to the instrument when being played outdoors (Steelpan-steeldrums-information.com par. 4).
At the same time, groups were being established across the land, some of them implementing titles from United States films such as Location Seattle, Casablanca, Increasing Sun, Intruders, Tripoli, Bar 20, Red Military, and Desperadoes.Instruments such as table tennis (which by that period had been enhanced and extended by companies Mannette and relabeled the tenor pan), dual seconds, guitars, cellos and these bands use bass (Pantrinbago.co.tt par. 11).To further demonstrate the fast growth of the instrument,numerous bands have blast into the national awareness as they frequently asserted the coveted title as panorama champions, in the past three decades. Certainly, over the past four decades, the steel pan has come a long way, reaching from the panyards of the most frustrated places of a community to some of the most popular show places all over the world (Pantrinbago.co.tt par. 13).
As the globe gets prepared to get into the new millennium, the learners of Spree, Mannette, Williams, Marshall, Charles who with their professional and creativeness provided this century perhaps it’s the nicest present, are preparing to take pan to greater levels.No one could tell what the ultimate creation will be, but we know for sure that it will keep delighted sounds unto the globe of music.
Steel pan is still a work for development. Pan makers around the world are constantly finding ways to improve and advance the instrument. In addition, criminal minds had an untoward love of steel band music. Persons of all levels of society in Trinidad and Tobago now hold steel pan and its innovators in far above the ground regard.
An alluring blend of musical styles coming from a creative adventurous spirit of Tony Guppy music such as Modern, fresh, invigorating everything from Jazz, Blues and Latin to soul, Funk & R&B.On the other hand Tony Guppy a born citizen of Trinidad and Tobago (which is also where the Steel pan came from) cited that Steel drums are used to manufacture highly finished and refined musical instrument called Steel Pan. He’s interest for Steel pan came from his family who are fine tuners and makers of this instrument. He also cited that there are many types of steel pan.
There are numerous different instruments and variations completing the family of steel band instruments. In the foundation of the steel band movement, players would play a single pan only, which is now named “Around” (the neck instruments). Eventually, other steel pans turned into chromatic throughnumber of pans, mainly for the bass registers.
The Single Tenor, or Ping Pong has a pitch of Soprano and invented by Winston “Spree” Simon. The Spiderweb Lead also has a pitch of Soprano created by Tony Williams. The Invader Lead pitch of Soprano, Double Second pitchof Alto, The Quadduet,Triple Guitar and Cello are both pitch of Baritone, Tenor Bass and Six Bass are both pitch of bass and all of these seven instruments were invented of Ellie Mannette. The DoubleTenor pitch of Mezzosoprano invented by Bertie Marshall, the Double Guitar, which is on pitch of Baritone was invented by Jonathan Francis. The instrument Quadrophonic (four pans) pitch of Baritone, Nine and Twelve Bass both pitch of Bass were invention of Rudolph Charles.
Steel pans are made of metal sheet with a thickness around 0.8 mm and 1.5 mm. traditionally steel pans has been made from used oil barrels. These days, many instrument makers do not depend on used steel containers and get the quality bodies manufactured according to their preferences and technical specifications.To make a steel pan the first stepis, stretched a sheet metal into a bowl shape (this is commonly known as 'sinking'). This method is usually done using hammers, manually or with the help of air pressure. Softening of notes is part of this initial tuning process.
Note's size corresponds to the pitch. It is said that the larger the oval, the lower the tone. The instrument size varies from one pan to another pan. It may have almost all of the "skirt". Skirt is the cylindrical part of the oil drum. Skirt length generally corresponds to the tessitura (high or low range) of the drum. Pans are either chromed and/or painted. Using a nickel for plating, powdercoating or hardening are example of processes that can also be used as a finish.
Steel pan tuning techniques have advanced swiftly. Strobe tuners are preferably suitable for the task. A strobe tuner have to witness the first few overtones further creates a strobe tuner a necessity for steelpan tuning. Since steel pan was discovered Steel pan makers have used strobe tuners, by adjusting the overtones. Great expertise in his/her work a tuner must have to manage and make the notes sound both fine and at the accurate pitch. Most of the tuning work is executed using hammers.
Another instrument is a new voice in the steel pan family. It is created to perform with your arms, on the lap. It was created out of tempered metal. This instrument is called Hand Pans. Hand Pans are absolutely formed manually on the land of Bali, Indonesia. This is the exertion of three people; the steel pan builders, I KetutSuda, I NeghahResna and instrument builder Chris Andersen.
At the present time, Steel Pans is taught in school. Steel pans or steel drums can be found in schools and universities all over the world and their numbers are generally increasing. More and more persons are discovering that steel pans build great classroom instruments. Using metal pans in studying is a good motivation. One of the advantages is they are friendly instruments. They permit for group participation as well as solo work for individuals, The strategy used to perform pan is the same for all segments of the metal group as opposed to other groups and orchestras, Any kind of songs can be performed on the metal pan not just calypsos, and finally The Pan Throughout the Throat metal dishes can be integrated into marching groups.
Steel Pans as Orff Instruments, you can also incorporate beginner/mini metal pans into a current Orff Schulwerk collection. These unique metal pans are little and have less notice than a knowledgeable steel pan. However, the note positions in these starter steel pans have not been consistent, so make sure to tell your steel pan provider which notices you want in the pan. And also, the quality of these beginner/mini pans varies from some are toys and sound like just toys, while some are small, fully functional instruments. Your scenario will decide which kind is appropriate.
In this time, a today's technological innovation are improving and moreover to this is the Electronic Pan Cellular Program is the only metal pan (steel drum) application that is formally and specifically recommended by the global regulating organization for the metal pan - Pan Trinbago. This pioneering app features instant access to the entire range of the steel pan family, as well as the tenors, double guitars, double tenor, double seconds, four cello, three cello. The program provides the chance to encounter the wealth of the nationwide musical instrument of Trinidad and Trinidad and the only percussive device designed in the new millennium.
Works Cited
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Jess2716. "Steel Pan Drumming: Exploring Trinidad Through Music." Epicure & Culture.epicureandculture.com, 28 Mar. 2013. Web. 5 Apr. 2013.
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Socafreak.com. "History of the steel drum (steel pan). Steel drum history." Soca Freak. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2013.
Steelpan-steeldrums-information.com. Steel Pan (Steel Drums)-Information, Tips and Advice on this Musical Instrument.N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2013.
Steelpan-steeldrums-information.com. "Steel Pan History - An Overview." Steel Pan (Steel Drums)-Information, Tips and Advice on this Musical Instrument. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2013.
Yourtravelsource.com. "History of the Steel Drum." Your Travel Source - French Polynesia, Tahiti, Fiji, Australia & New Zealand and Hawaii cruises our specialties. yourtravelsource.com, n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2013.
