A Brief History
Steel Drums have their beginnings in Trinidad and Tobago. Their origins go back to the mid 1800s when stick fighting, or kalenda, was popular in Trinidad. After stick fighting and the accompanying skin drums were banned, bamboo sticks (beaten together) were used to fill the role once held by skin drums. These “Tamboo Bamboo” bands would play for Carnival and other events. As these bands transformed from just playing bamboo to other percussion instruments and pitched instruments, at some point bits of metal were used and it was discovered that different pitches could be created. Although no one person is credited with inventing the steel drum, we began to have steel drums as we think of them today in the 1930s and 1940s.
Basic Equipment
Steel Drums
The basic steel drum band includes the lead pan, double seconds, cello, and bass. Although these instruments sometimes go by different names, the lead (tenor) typically plays the melody, the bass handles the bass/bottom sound, and the double seconds (alto) and cello (baritone) provide the middle notes/music. If your congregation cannot afford these instruments, start with Jumbie Jams. Jumbie Jams are only $200, are easier to play because they only cover the range of an octave (8 pitches), and still have a beautiful and resonant sound.
Accessories
- Cases: Typically, steel drums companies will provide cases for easy transportation of the drums.
- Mallets: The steel pans are struck using mallets with rubber on the end. Size of rubber and stick is determined by size of instrument.
- Music Stands: For those steel drum ensembles that are not learning music by ear/rote, music stands are helpful for holding music.
- Other Percussion: Many steel drum ensembles will have a drum set and/or other percussion instruments (shakers, congas) play with the steel drum band.
Check out Panyard, Inc. (www.panyard.com/) Panyard has the world’s best beginner steel drum, or “Jumbie Jam” (www.panyard.com/jumbiejam/).
Understanding Each Drum
Basic/Children’s Steel Drum – Jumbie Jam
Range: G – G
Budget: $200 per Jumbie Jam
The Jumbie Jam would be the most basic, cost-effective instrument. However, since the range of the instrument is only one melodic octave (G-G), this limits music to only G major.
Lead Steel Drum
The lead steel drum typically plays the melody line of a piece.
Layout: typically traditional 4ths & 5ths style developed by Tony Williams (cycle of 4ths going clockwise).
Double Seconds
One person plays two drums. The pitches are lower than the lead and compare to what a viola section might do in an orchestra.
Layout: typically whole-tone arrangement (or chromatic scale played by alternately playing notes from the left and right drums).
Cello
One person plays three drums. This instrument compares to what a cellist might play in an orchestra.
Layout: typically the triple cello arranged in diminished chords and four cello arranged in augmented chords.
Bass
A single person plays six drums. Much like basses in an orchestra, the bass often plays the tonic of chords and fills out the bottom range.
Layout: typically configuration in similar layout as the 4ths and 5ths lead pan.
Buying Steel Drums
As mentioned, Jumbie Jams are a cost-effective, easy-to-use instrument that have a beautiful, resonant sound. If interested in buying enough instruments to form a steel drum ensemble (lead, double seconds, cello, and bass), starting with a used set can be a good entry point. Once the ensemble is started, there may be enough excitement and energy to buy more instruments, including higher end, newer models.
Websites
www.engineroompublishing.com
www.maumaumusic.com
www.panyard.com