General Music 1Grade 5-8

Mr. Halaiko General Music

Where do Steel Drums Come From?

• The steel drum was invented on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago.

• This islands are located in the Caribbean south of the United States.

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The Slave Trade

In the History of the islands there have been several different nations who claimed ownerships of the island.

These nations are Spain, Netherlands, Britain, and France.

In turn these nations brought over slaves from Africa in order to work in the sugar cane and cocoa plantations which Trinidad is still known for today.

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African Drumming• The slaves from

Africa brought their some of their culture by playing african drums.

• Drums such as djembes, jun-juns, talking drums, and others.

• Recreational and ceremonial purposes

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Tamboo Bamboo Bands• Britain abolished slavery in

1833.• Soon after Britain abolished

all African drumming.• Went to the junkyards and

found pieces of metal, tin cans, and stalks of bamboo and played their drumming rhythms on these found instruments.

• Spanish name for drum is tambor

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Winston “Spree” Simon

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How the drums are made• During WWII Trinidad was a

refueling station for the United states and Britain

• Discarded 55 gallon oil drums, Spree applied his concept to the oil drums

• A tuner would heat the bottom of the drum, smooth it out into a bowl and then turn it over and pop out notes.

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Different types of Steel Drums

• The notes on a steel drum can be arranged in several different ways

• Invader• Thirds pan• Fourth and Fifths

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The Steel Band Orchestra

• There a standard set oof voices in the steel band, just like a choir

• Tenor-Soprano• Double Second-Alto• Cello-Tenor• Bass- Bass

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Tenor

• The tenor pan also known as the “ping pong” is the highests voice in the steel band.

• Why is it called a tenor pan if it is the highest voice?

• The tenor drum plays melodies because of its high range

• This instrument is comprised of only one drum

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Double Second • Double seconds are like the Viola of an orchestra

• They play counter melodies and harmony

• They also play set patterns/chords which are called “strums” just like a guitar player would play

• The instrument is comprised of two drums

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Cello• The cello are the third

lowest voice in the orchestra and mainly play chords which create harmony for the melody

• The instrument is three drums that are almost full length barrels, that sit on the ground.

• As the notes get lower in range the player needs more drums in order to be able to play chromatically

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Bass• Bass pans usually play bass lines just

like a bass player in jazz band• There are six full length barrels that

make up this instrument • Each drum has only three notes in it

because the notes are so low.

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Panorama• Panorama is a nationwide event that

happens every year during carnival• All of the steel bands on the island

compete for the title of best band.• The standard steel drum band has

anywhere from 100-150 members and is comprised of anyone who wants to play.

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Pop Quiz!!!

• Who was the first person to invent the steel drum?

• Name all of the instruments in the steel band.

• What is panorama?

• Where do steel drums come from, specifically what islands?

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http://www.playdrums.com/pdf/roots/5-RORE_Guide-ch3-steeldrum.pdf

http://www.panonthenet.com/2005/pic-of-the-year/index.htm

http://www.panyard.com/