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Steelpan (also known as pan or steeldrums, and sometimes collectively with the musicians as a steelband) is a musical instrument and a form of music originating in the twin island state of Trinidad & Tobago located in the Caribbean.

The pan is a pitched percussion instrument, tuned chromatically (although some toy or novelty steelpans are tuned diatonically), made from a 55 gallon drum of the type that stores oil, and is the only percussion/non-electric acoustic instrument to be invented in the 20th century. In fact, Drum refers to the steel drum containers from which the pans are made, the steel drum is correctly called a "steelpan" or "pan" as it too falls into the "Idiophone" family of instruments, and is not - technically - regarded as a drum - "Membranophone".

Origins and Controversy


There is controversy concerning the steelpan's origins. Although it is reported that Winston "Spree" Simon took an old biscuit tin, and beat it with a corn cob to form a steelpan, the history of the evolution and development of the steelpan is more complex and nuanced than that. While Simon may have been the first to use biscuit tins, it quickly turned to ash cans and the steel drums made unintentionally available by the United States. Bunches of young African men can be credited with contributing to the steel pan. Only having scraps as their primary resources they used what they had to preserve aspects of their culture in the space of the Caribbean. Clearly being influenced by the mixture of those on the islands along with the desire for African drums, steel pan was formed. The development of the pan took place largely during WWII, the first record of a pan band in the press being in a report of the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival in the Trinidad Guardian dated Tuesday, February 6, 1940.

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Regional and Ethnic :: Percussion
Steelpan :: Regional and Ethnic
Steelpan :: Music
Steelpans :: Manufacturing

 
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あ、やっぱり?愛媛も震度大きかったようですね。被害はありませんでしたか? RT @steelpan_da 愛媛ですが一瞬ドンッときましたよ~(*_*) RT @ezomomongamelan: 「高知県で震度4 震源は土佐湾、M4.7」
ezomomongamelan (もんがむ) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:50:29 -0000
あ、やっぱり?愛媛も震度大きかったようですね。被害はありませんでしたか? RT @steelpan_da 愛媛ですが一瞬ドンッときましたよ~(*_*) RT @ezomomongamelan: 「高知県で震度4 震源は土佐湾、M4.7」
The Steelpan Store just started on Twitter
SteelpanStore (The Steelpan Store) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:24:13 -0000
The Steelpan Store just started on Twitter
RT @TriniTweets: #trinidad The Sounds Of The Steelpan At Christmas - CARIBWORLDNEWS.COM http://bit.ly/5C4BsY
Tymelessbeauty4 (Tiffany G) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:20:46 -0000
RT @TriniTweets: #trinidad The Sounds Of The Steelpan At Christmas - CARIBWORLDNEWS.COM http://bit.ly/5C4BsY
#trinidad The Sounds Of The Steelpan At Christmas - CARIBWORLDNEWS.COM http://bit.ly/5C4BsY
TriniTweets (Trinidad and Tobago) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:16:50 -0000
#trinidad The Sounds Of The Steelpan At Christmas - CARIBWORLDNEWS.COM http://bit.ly/5C4BsY
The Sounds Of The Steelpan At Christmas - CARIBWORLDNEWS.COM http://bit.ly/7UL8u7
izatrini (izatrini.com) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 04:51:24 -0000
The Sounds Of The Steelpan At Christmas - CARIBWORLDNEWS.COM http://bit.ly/7UL8u7
-- Steelpan Solo Christmas Medley ::: www.jammasteelpan.net http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwHWv1WICCA
NancyMcNally (Nancy McNally) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:29:38 -0000
-- Steelpan Solo Christmas Medley ::: www.jammasteelpan.net http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwHWv1WICCA

 
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Australian Academy of Steel Drums - Information about performers, events and educational projects.
Meta Description: [ Australian Academy Of Steel Drums offers performances, teaching and manufacture of steel drums ]

Opossum Sally's Pan Ring - Web ring of sites about the steelpan, including instrument information, bands, tuners, and events.
Meta Description: [ This ring is for pan pages -- anything related to steel pan drums, also known simply as the pan. Perfect for players, bands, instruments, tuners, music, and happenings in the world of pan. ]

Pan Trinbago - The world governing body for steelpan worldwide. Profiles, competitions, news, events, performers, music and history.
Meta Description: [ Home page for Pantrinbago Inc - The World Governing Body for the Steelpan ]

Rockcreek Steel Drums - A Maryland-based steel drum instrument builder offering lessons.
Meta Description: [ Rockcreek Steel Drums, a Maryland based steel drum musical instrument company, offers day and evening classes to adults and teens. Bring your own drum or use one of ours. ]

Steel Drum Message Board - Message board and chat room for all things pan-related.
Meta Description: [ Steel Pan Weblog (formerly the Steel Drum Message Board) ]

Steel Pans: A Brief History - Explains the development of the steel pan since the instrument's birth in 1938

Steelpan Science - Explains how steel pans are built, the instrument's origins, and layout standards
Meta Description: [ Africa's first online science magazine ]

The Pan Blog - News of interest to the steel pan community
Meta Description: [ Steel Pan Weblog (formerly the Steel Drum Message Board) ]

When Steel Talks - Steel drum information.
Meta Description: [

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