where was the steel pan invented

What is a steel pan?

Steelpans (also known as steel drums or pans, and sometimes, collectively with other musicians, as a steel band or orchestra) is a musical instrument originating from Trinidad and Tobago. Steel pan musicians are called pannists.

What is a steelpan instrument?

Steelpan (also known as steel pan, steel drum or pan, and sometimes, collectively with other musicians, as a steelband or orchestra) is a musical instrument originating from Trinidad and Tobago. Steelpan musicians are called pannists. The modern pan is a chromatically pitched percussion instrument made from 55 gallon industrial drums.

Where did the steelpan originate?

Trinidad and Tobago is the birthplace of the steelpan. This musical instrument, the only one invented in the twentieth century, has its origins in the drumming tradition of the African groups that now reside in these islands. Both the indigenous Caribs and the East Indians also had their own traditional type of drumming.

What is the history of the steel pan in Trinidad?

In 1937 they reappeared in Laventille, transformed as an orchestra of frying pans, dustbin lids, and oil drums. These steelpans are now a major part of the Trinidadian music scene and are a popular section of the Canboulay music contests.

Where did the steel pan originate?

Steelpan (also known as steel pan, steel drum or pan, and sometimes, collectively with other musicians, as a steelband or orchestra) is a musical instrument originating from Trinidad and Tobago. Steelpan musicians are called pannists. The modern pan is a chromatically pitched percussion instrument made from 55 gallon industrial drums .

Who was the first person to use the steel pan?

British composer Daphne Oram was the first composer to electronically manipulate the sound of the steelpan after recording a band (probably Russell Henderson 's Steelband) in 1960. The first use of pan in a commercial pop record was by The Hollies in 1967 with " Carrie Anne ".

What were the first steelpan instruments?

The first instruments developed in the evolution of steelpan were tamboo bamboos, tunable sticks made of bamboo wood. These were hit onto the ground and with other sticks in order to produce sound. Tamboo bamboo bands included percussion of a (gin) bottle and spoon. By the mid-1930s, bits of metal percussion were being used in the tamboo bamboo bands, the first probably being either the automobile brake hub "iron" or the biscuit drum "boom". The former replaced the gin bottle-and-spoon, and the latter the "bass" bamboo that was pounded on the ground. By the late 1930s their occasional all-steel bands were seen at carnival, and by 1940 it had become the preferred carnival accompaniment of young underprivileged men. The 55-gallon oil drum was used to make steelpans from around 1947. The Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra (TASPO), formed to attend the Festival of Britain in 1951, was the first steelband whose instruments were all made from oil drums. Members of TASPO included Ellie Mannette and Winston "Spree" Simon. Hugh Borde led the National Steel Band of Trinidad & Tobago at the Commonwealth Arts Festival in England, as well as the Esso Tripoli Steel Band, which played at the World's Fair in Montreal, Canada, and later toured with Liberace. They were featured on an album with him.

Why is my steelpan out of tune?

There are several ways in which a steelpan may become out of tune (most commonly this is caused by playing the steelpan with excessive force and incorrect handling) and it is quite common that steelbands arrange to have their instruments tuned once or twice a year. A tuner must have great skill in their work to manage to make the notes sound both good and at the correct pitch. Much of the tuning work is performed using hammers.

What was the role of the pannists in the popularization of steelpan music?

The pannists, who were associated with lawlessness and violence, helped to popularize steelpan music among the soldiers, which began its international popularization. Steelpan playing was strictly a male activity until the late 1970s/early 1980s. It was not seen as an appropriate activity for women.

What is PanArt steel?

A Swiss steelpan manufacturer (PANArt) researched the field of fine-grain sheet steel and developed a deep-drawn raw form which was additionally hardened by nitriding. This process, and the new instruments they called pang, were presented at the International Conference of Steel pan and Science in Port-of-Spain in 2000.

What is a pan made of?

The modern pan is a chromatically pitched percussion instrument made from 55 gallon industrial drums .

Where did the steelpan originate?

Trinidad and Tobago is the birthplace of the steelpan. This musical instrument, the only one invented in the twentieth century, has its origins in the drumming tradition of the African groups that now reside in these islands. Both the indigenous Caribs and the East Indians also had their own traditional type of drumming.

Who were the early steelbands?

It is claimed to be the first true pan. The early pioneers of the steelbands were from the poor, low income areas and were without lands and resources. Their development of the steelpan with which they became socially identified was therefore given a social stigma, having been shunned by the middle and upper classes.

How many steel bands are there in Trinidad and Tobago?

There are more than 190 steelbands in Trinidad and Tobago and more than 800 steelbands in countries around the world including 300 in the United Kingdom, 240 in the United States, 130 in Switzerland, and now the first in Aotearoa/New Zealand, The Caribbeanz Southern Stars. Let's pay tribute to these inspirational steelpan pioneers.

Why did Spain ban the drums?

In 1797, Spain surrendered the islands of Trinidad and Tobago to the British who banned the drums and forbade the Africans from speaking their native languages and practicing their religion for fear that the drumming would be used to send messages that would inspire rebellion.

Why were the drums cut?

Discarded by the oil refineries, the drums were cut to provide a musical source. It was found that by indenting the surfaces of these drums a range of musical tones could be made. The length to which the drums were cut permitted complete scales from the bass to the soprano.

Is the steelpan a national instrument?

Official involvement and corporate sponsorship led to the national recognition and credibility of the steelpan as the national instrument of the islands and the pan players as its musical ambassadors. The steelpan is now widely played throughout the Caribbean and is regarded as the musical instrument of the Caribbean.

Who invented the steel drum?

People such as Ellie Mannette, Winston “Spree” Simon, and Tony Williams are credited as pioneers of the steel drum, creating the 12 notes of the chromatic scale on a single pan. When Carnival celebrations resumed in Trinidad after World War II, the steel pan became an important part of the street festival.

Where did the steel drum originate?

Steel drums, also known as pans, are the only family of chromatic, acoustic instruments invented in the twentieth century. They hail from Trinidad, and their fascinating history is inextricably linked to the culture and resiliency of the Trinidadian people. At one time or another, Spanish, English, Dutch and French colonialists ruled the island ...

Why were drums banned in the 1880s?

Drums were banned by the ruling class in the 1880s out of fear that they were being used to communicate secret messages. More melodic instruments were introduced to the parades and celebrations by the colonialists, to replace the drumming.

What were the four instruments created by the lower classes as a revolt against the people in power?

Four distinct instruments — the boom, chandler, fuller and cutter were created by the lower classes as a revolt against the people in power. This art form remained a nucleus of musical and political expression throughout the 1930s.

Overview

Origin

Steelpans developed in the early to mid 1900s, but with roots going back much earlier, including the talking drums of West African cultures. The hourglass-shaped drums were used for communicating messages at a distance with drum language. For example, the rhythm and pitch could indicate the location, time, and type of dancing during an upcoming ceremony.
In the 18th century, persons from countries in West Africa were forcibly abducted to Trinidad to b…

Description

Construction

Music and competitions

Pannists

See also

Further reading