Steel Pan ArrangingBahia Girl BARBADOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

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Common Instruments in a Pan Ensemble Carnival steel pan music is usually performed in orchestral groups. These groups are made up of the pans which supply the melodic material and non-pitched percussion commonly referred to as the engine room.

Tenor Pans

Double Tenors

Double Seconds

Guitar

Cello

Tenor Bass

Bass

Tenor PanHigh Tenor and Tenor

Function: Usually plays melodies

Drums: 1

Double TenorFunction: Melodic support e.g. playing melody an octave down, harmonises, counter-melodies.

Drums: 2

Double secondFunction: Harmonic rhythm and counter melodies.

Drums: 2

Guitar PanFunction: Harmonic rhythm

Drums: 2

Cello PanFunction: harmonic rhythm, counter-melodies, supports the melody.

Drums: 3

Tenor Bass/QuadrophonicsFunction: Supports the bass line, plays an octave higher or in 5ths above the bass.

Drums: 4

Bass PanFunction: Plays the bass line

Drums: 6 or 9

Assignment Instruments Tenor Pans

Double Tenors

Double Seconds

Guitar

Bass

The Song

Step 1 – Tenor Pans Assign the melody to the tenor pans

Check to see if melody fits in range

Step 2 - BassCome up with a bass line which outlines the harmony.

Remember, calypso/soca bass lines are made up of the tonic and the fifth in rhythmic patterns to a large degree.

Step 3 – Double tenor Harmonise the melody using the double tenor as follows:

Double Tenor Voicings - 1-9 3rds and 6ths

10-17 - Octave below

18-25 harmonize using chord tone

26-34 3rds and 6ths

35-end Octave below

Double Second and GuitarAssign the 1st and 3rd or the 3rd and 7th where applicable to the double second.

Assign the 1st and 5th to the guitar pan.

These pans are struck using the SAME rhythmic pattern.

VOICE LEAD

See next slide.

Strums

CheckMake Sure all the pans are in range.