The four main types of steel drums are:
1. Tenor drum: Also known as a “high tension” or “high-note” drum, the tenor drum is distinguished by its distinctive, bright, metallic sound. It is the highest-pitched of all steel drums and is predominantly used to play the melody or “lead” line in a musical group.
2. Lead drum: The lead drum is the most commonly heard type of drum in a steel pan performance. It is larger than the tenor drum and produces a deeper, lower-pitched sound. Lead drums are used to play the bass line or harmony in a musical group.
3. Double tenor drum: The double tenor drum is a hybrid between the tenor and lead drums. It is the same size and shape as the lead drum, but with a higher-pitched sound. It is generally used to play the melody and accompanying harmony lines.
4. Bass drum: Also known as a “low-note” drum, the bass drum is the largest and lowest-pitched steel drum. It is primarily used to play the lowest notes in the ensemble, making it the foundation of the music.
It is usually played with two sticks.
What is the Jamaican instrument called?
The Jamaican instrument most commonly referred to is the Rastafarian drum, known as the “drum-set” or “drum kit. ” It is a unique set consisting of several drums and percussion instruments originating in Jamaica, including the bongo, congo drums, woodblocks, high-hat, and cymbals.
Each instrument is tuned and mixed to achieve a desired overall sound. The instrument is used in a variety of settings, from street corner percussion bands to dancehall reggae, and as a solo instrument in popular genres such as ska, rock-steady, and reggae.
It is also sometimes used to accompany singer/rappers in popular Jamaican rap/reggae fusion music.
What drums do Jamaicans play?
Jamaicans typically play a variety of drums which are included in their traditional music. These drums can range from the larger double-headed Ngal drums, to the smaller Goombay and Rekkidoo drums. The Ngal drum is a two-head drum which is sometimes made from scraped and hollowed-out tree trunks.
The Rekkidoo is a one-headed goat skinned hand drum, and the Goombay is a single headed drum made from goatskin. Both the Rekkidoo and the Goombay are often struck with sticks and the sides of the hands.
Other popular Jamaican drums that are used in traditional music include the hand drums such as the Fundeh, Dondo, Ketch, and Kwaaba, as well as the forked stick or Log Drum which is sometimes called the Log Drum or Shachneene.
Jamaica also has its own unique version of the steel drum, which is known as a Jamaican Steel Drum and is used to both accompany and lead other instruments in a traditional setting.
Do Jamaicans play steel drums?
Yes, Jamaicans play steel drums. The steel drum is the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago, but it is also widely used in Jamaican music. Steel drums are played for traditional calypso and soca music, as well as for modern pop, reggae and ska music in Jamaica.
The steel drum is usually made from an oil drum, which is cut and hammered into a steel bowl to give it its sound. Experienced drummers are able to make a variety of complex rhythms, melodies and harmonies with the steel drums.
Steel drums are used in musical competitions and festivals throughout Jamaica and the Caribbean, and some steel drum bands travel abroad to perform.
What is a calypso drum?
A calypso drum is a type of drum originating from Trinidad and Tobago. It is a large handheld drum that is made from a cylinder shape. It has a single head, thin walls and a wide open bottom. The traditional calypso drum was made by hollowing out a log, then splitting it open and lining the interior with rawhide.
Today, calypso drums consist of a fiberglass/plastic/metal shell and usually feature synthetic heads. The calypso drum is used mainly in Trinidad and Tobago and is associated with the traditional Afro-Caribbean musical genre, calypso.
The calypso drum has a distinctive sound that is characterized by a bright, crisp tone with a fast attack. It produces a higher pitched sound when struck in the center of the head and a lower, warmer sound when struck near the rim.
The calypso drum is played with a stick and is often used as an accompanying instrument to emphasize accent beats or main points in a song. The calypso drum is also well-suited to provide a prominent rhythmic foundation for stories sung in call-and-response form.
What are the big bongo drums called?
The big bongo drums are usually referred to as the congas. Congas are large, Afro-Cuban drums that are most frequently used in salsa music. They come in different sizes which typically range from 11 to 26 inches in diameter and 28 to 32 inches in height.
The drums are cylindrical in shape and are made of wood, covered on both sides with animal skin that produces a low, deep rumble. The drums produce a range of sounds from deep bass notes to high-pitched slaps and taps.
Congas are played standing up or with the drummer seated and are played with the hands and wrists. Congas can be heard in many Latin and Caribbean music genres, from salsa to merengue and reggae to Afro-Cuban jazz.
What kind of drums are used in calypso music?
Calypso music typically features a combination of drums and percussion. The most common drums used in calypso music are the cub-style drum, conga drum, steel drum, and crash cymbals. The cub-style drum is often a djembe or ashiko drum with a rounded body and two heads.
This drum often provides the rhythm of the song, with the lowest notes being provided by the conga drum which has a single head and a tall, narrow body. The steel drum is the instrument most often associated with calypso music – it is a percussion instrument made from an upturned steel drum with notes hammered into the surface to create tones.
It produces a ringing sound, lending an upbeat energy to the music. The crash cymbals are used to punctuate the song with a bright, pulsing sound. Together, these instruments create the upbeat combination of rhythms and tones that are characteristic of calypso music.
Which type of music uses a KYAS drum?
The KYAS drum is a type of large, two-headed drum used in many different types of music, including Middle Eastern, North African, and Indian music. It has a naturally deep and booming sound, which makes it suitable for various drums and percussion instruments.
The KYAS drum is usually made of a hardwood frame with calfskin heads, and is usually used for slow pieces such as folk songs or dancing. Indian folk music often features the KYAS drum, and Pakistanis use it to accompany Sufi chants.
In North African and Middle Eastern music, the KYAS drum is played to accompany wedding celebrations and other traditional events. It is also found in many forms of North African and Middle Eastern percussion ensembles.
What materials are used to make a steel drum?
Steel drums are constructed from different grades of steel. The steel for the drum shell usually ranges from 10-gauge to 18-gauge. The steel used is usually high-grade steel that has been treated with chrome or some type of rust-resistant coating.
The type of steel and coating used can affect the sound of the drum, so it is important to choose the right steel and coating to create the desired tone. Inside the drum, there is a range of other materials used to help create the sound.
Generally, the drum will be filled with a material such as pressed paper, plastic, or hemp fibers. This material helps amplify the sound and gives the drum body its unique sound. The heads (skins) of a steel drum are usually made of either plastic or animal hide and can be treated with a variety of chemicals to achieve the desired sound.
Where do steel drums come from?
Steel drums, also known as steel pans, originated from Trinidad and Tobago. They are a popular instrument used in calypso music, which is a type of folk music from the Caribbean islands.
Steel drums come from a long history of African, Indian, and European musical influences. The origin of the steel pan is credited to the steelpan master, Ellie Mannette, and his experiments with different metals and notes in the late 1940s.
He took an empty oil barrel and hammered different notes into the bottom. The drums began to be used largely at carnivals and festivals that took place in Trinidad and Tobago.
The steel drums are usually made of 55-gallon oil barrels that are cut into different sizes and shapes to create the various notes. The drum is then tempered – a process which makes the drum harder and more durable, then tuned and the notes are formed by hammering the surface of the drum.
The steel drums have gained a lot of popularity over the years and can be found across the world. They are a popular instrument in Caribbean culture and are even played in orchestras and as a solo instrument for various music genres.
Do they use steel drums in Jamaica?
Yes, steel drums, also known as steel pans or pans, are commonly used in Jamaica. Steel drums were first developed in Trinidad & Tobago in the early 20th century, but they have since become popular in countries around the Caribbean, including Jamaica.
Steel drum instruments have a unique tone and sound, and they are commonly used to play calypso, ska, soca, and reggae music. Playing steel drums has become a popular art form in Jamaica, and it is a great way to experience traditional Jamaican music.
Many people also enjoy steel drums for their therapeutic sound and for the fact that they are relatively easy to learn to play. There are a variety of steel drum bands in Jamaica, and many residents can be found playing tuneful steel pan music during festivals and gatherings.
How does a steel drum make sound?
Steel drums can produce a range of different sounds due to their unique shape. Steel drums are made from the bottom of a 55-gallon oil drum, and their shape, size and depth all contribute to the tone and volume of their sound.
The steel drum also uses a special tuning technique developed by Trinidadian pan makers to stretch the head of the drum and raise the pitch of the sound. When the instrument is struck with a mallet, the ringing sound created is a combination of the vibration of the steel head and the sound of the air trapped inside the barrel.
To create a variety of tones and notes, the drummer plays different areas of the drum head and can produce a range of pitches and rhythms; the combination of these elements produces the unique music of the steel drum.
How is steelpan made?
Steelpan making is a complex and arduous process. It begins with a skilled craftsman, known as a tuner, selecting a high-quality 55 gallon oil drum. The exterior of the drum is then washed and the lid removed.
Upon inspection, the interior is lined with a rubber cover and a circle is cut from the center of the drum. This circle forms the outline of the ‘pan’. Across the surface of the ‘pan’ the tuner then carves out lines and curves that form the notes of the scale.
The lines each represent a different note, depending on its position within the ‘pan’.
Using a hammer, a steel rod and a truck spring, the tuner begins to shape and tune the ‘pan’ into a finely tuned percussion instrument. Every note is carefully hammered, which produces the ‘pan’s, signature tone.
The rim is also hammered with a specialist tapping tool known as a ‘dimpler’, the ‘dimples’ vary in depth and width, which all help to create the unique sound of a steelpan.
Once the tuning process is complete, the ‘pan’ is bent into the traditional steelpan shape. After several passes of spinning and twirling the ‘pan’ over a fire, the craftsman adds a special wax to the inside and outside surface.
The wax creates an additional dampening effect, contributing to the warm sounding steelpan.
The final stage is to paint the instrument with a clear, glossy paint for protection. Steelpan makers take great pride in finishing their ‘pan’s with intricate and beautiful designs.
And there you have it, a steelpan has been created with a great deal of dedication and skill. The result is a beautiful and unique sounding percussion instrument that is sure to add music and joy to any occasion.
Who invented the steelpan?
The steelpan, also known as the steel drum or pan, is a musical instrument invented in Trinidad and Tobago at the start of the 20th century. It is said that the steelpan instrument was invented by African descendants.
It is believed that the steelpan was developed when African slaves had head pans, metal objects and wood around before instruments were accessible. Slaves had to figure out ways to make music without expensive instruments and thus began the tradition of banging on metal objects, eventually leading to the development of the steel drum.
The most famous innovator of the steelpan was Herman Augustus Clarke. He was born in 1910 and was an advocate for the steelpan movement from a young age and was heavily involved in its development. Clarke was also one of the first to experiment with new tunings for the steelpan and was a founding member of the Starlift Steel Orchestra.
It is believed that in the late 1930s, Clarke developed the Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra (TASPO) with a team of experienced pan men and women. TASPO introduced the steelpan to London in 1950 at the Festival of Britain and be introduced to the world at the 1951 Panorama finals.
Herman Clarke is widely accepted as the inventor of the steelpan, although other inventors may have contributed to the instrument’s development. Among them are Ellie Mannette, Andrew “Panman” Blades, Neville Jules, Tony Williams and Tracy Browne.
These inventors combined various instruments and styles of music to create the steelpan.
When was the steelpan invented?
The steelpan was invented in Trinidad and Tobago in the late 1930s. According to some accounts, it was first developed in the late 1930s by Afro-Creole communities in an attempt to recreate the drums they had seen and heard while in Africa.
This is corroborated by stories from the 1940s where the steelpan was celebrated from as early as 1936.
Though the steelpan was developed in the late 1930s, it took a few more decades for the steelpan to become popular in international circles and to establish a place in the music community. In the 1950s, steelpan bands would compete in annual panorama competitions, which took place around carnival time.
In the 1960s, the steelpan started to gain international attention and the instrument started to travel all around the world.
Today, the steelpan and its traditional music is celebrated around the world and is recognized as an official instrument of Trinidad and Tobago. Its influence has spanned genres and artists, appearing in pop, jazz, reggae, and many other genres.
The steelpan has become a symbol of the culture and identity of Trinidad and Tobago.
How many steps are there in making the steel pan?
There are nine steps in making a steel pan:
1. Cut the disc: A steel disc of the desired size is cut from a sheet of cold-rolled steel.
2. Raise the edge: The edge of the disc is raised slightly with a hammer.
3. Flatten the surface: The surface of the pan is flattened with a hammer.
4. Make the notes: Different depths and sizes of notes are made on the steel pan surface.
5. Make the notes symmetrical: The notes are made symmetrical by striking the tuning hammer lightly.
6. Make the nipple: The nipples, which produce the highest notes of the steel pan, are made with a punch and a hammer.
7. Tune the steel pan: The notes are tuned until they are even and perfect.
8. Hammer the steel pan: The steel pan is gently hammered to make the edges smooth.
9. Final touches: Small holes for the tuning screws are made near the nipples and the pan is given several layers of lacquer for a beautiful finish.
What is a tenor pan?
A tenor pan is a type of steel pan, also commonly known as a steel drum, used in Caribbean steel pan music. It is typically tuned to the key of G and is the highest-pitched pan in the steel pan family.
It produces a bright, lively sound that is appropriate for the higher range of the songs. Tenor pans are usually between 18 and 24 inches in diameter and have depths ranging from about 6 to 8 inches.
They typically have up to eight notes and are traditionally played with a pair of rubber or bamboo sticks. The traditional music from Trinidad and Tobago that uses the tenor pan is usually Afro-Caribbean in origin, heavily influenced by West African, Indian, and European music.
The music is often extremely syncopated and full of intricate rhythms, making it exciting and challenging to play. The tenor pan is an important part of the Caribbean steel pan culture and is a thrilling and beautiful instrument to listen to.
Why is the steel pan an Idiophone?
The steel pan is an idiophone because it is a musical instrument that produces sound through the use of vibrations from the instrument itself, as opposed to a string, membrane or column of air. The steel pan is played by striking the surface of the steel pan with the fingers and a palm, creating volume and timbre that is unique to this instrument.
The steel pan is made primarily of steel and is usually tuned in a five-note diatonic scale, and is capable of playing microtones that are not heard in other instruments. The steel pan is also a great example of an instrument that is deeply rooted in culture, as it was developed by enslaved Africans in Trinidad and Tobago in the 19th century.
Steel pan music is currently commonly heard in calypso and soca music and is an integral part of Caribbean culture. All of these qualities combined make the steel pan an idiophone.
