Trini Tuesday-Making a Steel Pan

Last week a couple of folks asked me if I owned Kettle drums and learned to play them. Now one of these folks already knows what an absolute pedant I can be and since TriniTuesday is intended as an informative feature we first need to clear up some confusion. Kettle drums are those giant things, also known as tympani, that you see as part of an orchestra and sound like thunder. The shiny chromed instrument you see all through the Caribbean is known as either a steel drum, steel pan, or merely pan for short. They have a very broad range depending upon how deep the sides are, can be cut to cover all ranges, and can make up an entire orchestra all by themselves.

I only own a cheap miniature pan like they sell to tourists eager to be parted from money. It didn't like to hold its tuning too well. It actually was playable until the kids lost the sticks that went to it though. I do not actually know how to 'beat pan' as they say in Trinidad. Waaaaaayyyy back, I think in the first week or two, when I started this blog I did a post about steelpans. Since then, I've found a groovy little YouTube video that demonstrates how pans are made. They won't let me imbed it here so go watch it and then come back, we'll wait...

Pretty amazing huh? I know the video mentions it but you need to know that Trinidad is where de ting was invented, all yuh. Is a real Trinidad ting in truth and is de national instrument. Also, it is the only accoustic instrument invented in the 20th century. Something the video doesn't tell you, because they show a nice sterile looking factory, is that it is only in recent years that there has been any attempt at standardization.

Previously, each orchestra had its own makers and each maker placed the notes on the pans according to their own arrangement. So, if it was with Desperados that you learned to beat pan and then you left because Winston over dere was givin yuh plenty belly and yuh had yuh fill so yuh goin to Renegades and beatin with all of dey...Well, expect to learn to play all over again because Renegades has a whole different set of pans. This is because competition between the various orchestras is fierce and comes to a yearly competition held during Carnival. Each orchestra has it's own pan makers and musical arrangers and it helps keep the finer nuances of the arrangements within the respective orchestras. Interestingly, many pannists do not read music at all and learn the arrangements entirely by ear. and now for your listening pleasure....