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 |
Songs played on a SteelPan
- O Canada – Canadian National Anthem
- Jingle Bells – Traditional Christmas carol
- Deck The Halls – Christmas carol
- Forged From The Love of Liberty – Trinidad and Tobago’s National Anthem
- Bahia Girl – David Rudder
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