Steel drums, also known as steel pans, are a type of percussion instrument that originated in Trinidad and Tobago in the early 20th century. They are made from large, metal oil barrels that have been carefully crafted and tuned to produce specific musical notes. Steel drums are played by striking the surface of the drum with a pair of rubber-tipped mallets, or sticks, in a technique known as panning. The process of creating a steel drum involves several steps, including cutting and shaping the barrel into a concave shape, heating and tempering the metal to create the desired pitch and tone, and carefully tuning each note by hammering the surface of the drum. The result is a set of drums that can produce a wide range of musical notes and tones, from deep, resonant bass to high-pitched melodies. Steel drums are often used in Caribbean and Latin American music, including calypso, soca, and reggae. They are also used in jazz, world music, and other genres, and have become popular in many parts of the world. Steel drum bands, or steelbands, are a common sight in Trinidad and Tobago, where they are an important part of the country's cultural heritage. Despite their name, steel drums are not actually made from steel, but from metal oil barrels that have been carefully crafted and tuned to produce specific musical notes. They are a unique and distinctive instrument that has become an important part of many musical traditions around the world.
percussion, Trinidad and Tobago, tuning, steelbands, musical heritage
CITATION : "Christopher Martin. 'Steel Drums Being Musical Instruments.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=366216 (Accessed on July 16, 2025)"
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