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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, February 2, 2015: The Steelpan - National Instrument of Trinidad & Tobago

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 Carnival season 2015 is in full swing. To the world Carnival may be most popular in Brazil, but Trinidad and Tobago has a massive celebration that may just be second biggest. The Carnival season starts immediately after the Christmas holidays with fetes (parties), parades and the very popular steelpan competition called Panorama.

 

The steelpan (or steeldrum as it is also called) is a popular musical instrument around the world but what many people do not know is that it was invented in Trinidad & Tobago, in fact it is the national instrument of the country. The modern pan is a chromatically pitched percussion instrument made from former oil drums. The pan is struck using a pair of sticks tipped with rubber; the size and type of rubber tip varies according to the class of pan being played.

 

In the lead up to Carnival in Trinidad, Panorama is an important steelpan competition amongst local steel orchestras who practice year round for this event. It is one way of highlighting and appreciating this locally invented national instrument.

 

The steel orchestras perform on a centre stage (as seen in the photos) to the delight of all supporters in the stands on either side of the stage, all of whom make the event into one big party with lots of dancing and drinks (it is Carnival season afterall).

 

Have you ever heard music played on a steelpan?

 

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Living as I do in Central Brooklyn, home of what's likely the largest-anywhere off-season (Labor Day) celebration of Carnival, I get to hear a lot of pan music, especially in August and early September...it's a great sound, and unfortunately sometimes drowned by the huge loudspeakers blasting out "commercial music" in the parade. But in the days and weeks before, and on the sides, it's wonderful.

 

By the way, there's a real interesting history to pans--they developed in response to the British rulers of Trinidad & Tobago banning many forms of African-based instruments as a repressive measure...so the musicians had to develop new ones, both of bamboo and abandoned oil drums. As a friend and former neighbor told me: Never tell a Trini he can't make music! Click here for MORE 

The best part of every trip is realizing that it has upset your expectations

Slightly off-topic, I once heard a steel band play classical music on accurately tuned instruments made for the purpose.  I've looked but have never been able to find a recording of that ethereal sound.  If anyone runs across one, please please let me know.

Originally Posted by PHeymont:

Living as I do in Central Brooklyn, home of what's likely the largest-anywhere off-season (Labor Day) celebration of Carnival, I get to hear a lot of pan music, especially in August and early September...it's a great sound, and unfortunately sometimes drowned by the huge loudspeakers blasting out "commercial music" in the parade. But in the days and weeks before, and on the sides, it's wonderful.

 

By the way, there's a real interesting history to pans--they developed in response to the British rulers of Trinidad & Tobago banning many forms of African-based instruments as a repressive measure...so the musicians had to develop new ones, both of bamboo and abandoned oil drums. As a friend and former neighbor told me: Never tell a Trini he can't make music! Click here for MORE 

Yes that is correct! Thanks for adding on the history. Almost all Caribbean influenced Carnivals around the world are off season and usually tied in with a local holiday such as Columbus Day in Miami and last August bank holiday in London and Toronto around Canada Day. Even in Cuba I was surprised they had theirs during July-August. 

For PortMoresby and everyone...Google "classical music on Steelpan" and you'll get a surprisingly large collection of hits, including this one, featuring a high school pan orchestra playing a Bach D-minor concerto:

The best part of every trip is realizing that it has upset your expectations

Last edited by Paul Heymont
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