| Have you ever seen people playing music from any | | | | use of the steel pans was done. The Trinidad All |
| unused steel container? Does it seem weird? I hope | | | | Steel Percussion Orchestra was an official band which |
| it does not because the man is playing a steel drum. | | | | performed at the Festival of Britain popularizing these. |
| Steel drums or steel pans are the musical instrument | | | | The 19th century brought the great revolution for |
| made from metal oil barrels. The metal sheet is 0.8 to | | | | the steel pans. This was the decade when a steel |
| 1.5 mm thick. The area from where it is struck to | | | | band performed in the common wealth games which |
| produce sound is in the shape of a bowl. | | | | gave the steel drummers an international exposure. |
| Traditionally these drums were actually made from oil | | | | At present, these pans of steel have been accepted |
| barrels. The difference in the modern drums is just | | | | as an exceptional piece of art. The art has now been |
| that they can be tuned to a certain pitch. Different | | | | modified to adapt to various genres. Hip-hop, pop |
| oval-shaped points on the bowl produce different | | | | music all includes them now days. |
| pitches of sound. Larger ovals produce lower tones. | | | | The steel drums are made by sinking, heating and |
| Via this a melodious tune can be struck. Now a day's | | | | then making the ovals. Though now modern |
| various sizes are available. They are chosen according | | | | techniques are used for their manufacture. They |
| to the need. | | | | have a high tempo and can be heard far across the |
| When you think of Caribbean the image of tall dark | | | | distance. The large range of notes and tones make |
| men striking the drums on a beach must be clicking in | | | | them an amusing instrument. |
| your mind. Why not after all the origin of steel drums | | | | The era is gone when steel drummers were born |
| took place from there and continues to be their | | | | only in West Indies. Japan, Sweden and various other |
| traditional instrument. Steel drums were first made in | | | | countries now produce them. This symbol of revolt |
| Trinidad, West Indies from a 55-gallon oil barrel. It is | | | | against the insensible social norms now mesmerizes |
| said that Winston Spree Simon developed the first | | | | the audience with its music. This Caribbean beauty is |
| steel drum from a biscuit tin. Later on the African | | | | a true piece of art which forces everyone to tap |
| slaves used oil drums while performing at Carnival. | | | | their feats on its beats. Currently the annual World |
| After the abolishment of slavery the tradition | | | | Steel band Music Festival is in its 56th year which is |
| continued. The 1930s brought metal pans replacing | | | | an achievement in itself. |
| the bamboo ones. In the 1940s the first recorded | | | | |