Steelpans (or drums) have been making their mark on the UK music scene – from local steel band groups that welcome enthusiasts of whatever level to play for fun, to professionals making their living from paid performances.
Increasingly popular as an alternative to the more traditional Jazz band, string quartet or harpist at weddings, the melodic sound of steel drums makes for a lovely choice of music during reception drinks – particularly at relaxed beach weddings, accompanied by a rum punch in hand. Steel bands can cover traditional calypso and folk music, and even perform their own take on popular classics and modern songs.
So where did this unique instrument come from? Originating in Trinidad & Tobago, the steelpan dates back to the time of World War II. Descendants of the slaves who had emigrated from Martinique to Trinidad with their French planters at the time of the French Revolution had always enjoyed a parallel celebration to the Trinidad Carnival (in which they could not take part) called canboulay. After the canboulay riots of 1880, drumming was banned by the colonial government. This resulted in the creation of ‘tamboo bamboo’ – early 20th Century percussion groups that used hollowed bamboo branches beaten together to a rhythm. But during World War II, tamboo bamboo was also banned – and other alternatives were sought: frying pans, dustbin lids, discarded oil drums and anything that could play a note when struck. Around 1947, a 55-gallon oil drum was used to make steelpans, and the sound was developed and fine-tuned into the music that is played today.
A percussion instrument, the steelpan is constructed from an empty 55-gallon drum. Made by hand, processes include sinking – whereby the sheet metal is manipulated into a bowl shape, usually with hammers – followed by the marking and grooving of the notes onto the surface. The skirt (side) of the pan is then cut to size, depending on the type of pan, before the metal is heated and cooled so that the notes hold their tune for longer. Perhaps the most complex stage is the final one: tuning. Small hammers are used to painstakingly tap the underside and topside of the pan to ensure the correct pitch is achieved for each note.
To play the steelpan, pannists use a pair of rubber-tipped sticks to hit it. There are a variety of pans with different pitches – from the highest pitched (frontline) tenor pan playing the melody, to the lower (background) bass pans. Pannists can perform solo with one tenor pan, or in a steel band of up to 100 pans!
Trinidadians are proud of its steelpan as the only acoustic, non-electric instrument invented in the 20th Century. It has become an integral part of the music scene in many other Caribbean countries from Barbados to Antigua, and its dulcet tones can be heard throughout Caribbean carnivals, churches and village celebrations. You can discover the traditional steelpan scene on Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados and Antigua holidays.
Sean Burke writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
