What is a Steel Pan?

During the 1930’s on the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago the ‘Steel Pan’ was developed by a few talented and creative individuals. In the city of Port of Spain, a new instrument was invented; the very first steel pan. The steel drum or steel pan is a percussion instrument which was made from a biscuit tin or 55 gallon oil drum. The instrument evolved out of earlier musical practices. One percussion instrument in Trinidad and Tobago was Tamboo Bamboo. Tamboo Bamboo are sticks made of bamboo wood which are played by hitting them on the ground and with other sticks. Tambo Bamboo was later replaced by empty Biscuit Tins. Because Steel Pan was such an amazing invention, by the 1940’s the Tamboo Bamboo and Biscuit Tins were both replaced by the Steel Pan. There are several variations which make up the family of steelpans; Tenor, Double Tenor, Double Second, Double Guitar, Tenor Bass, Six Bass, there is even an E-Pan and a G-Pan!

SteelPan Types	Typical number of Notes	Tonal Range
Tenor	20	G2 – D4
Double Tenor	32	F3 – C6
Double Second	30	F#3 – B5
Double Guitar	28	Bb2 – C#5
Tenor Bass	20	G2 – D4
Six Bass	18	C2 – F3

SteelPan Bands and Locations

Band	Location
Invaders	Woodbrook
Silver Stars	Woodbrook
Phase II	Woodbrook
Starlift	Woodbrook
Skiffle	San Fernando
Fonclare	San Fernando
All Stars	Port of Spain
Renegades	Port of Spain
Sfortzata	Curepe
Exodus	St Augustine