Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Be Different With Steel Pan Music

By Donald Williams


Some days people just want to escape the world with songs on their playlists. Or by playing the guitar on an otherwise ordinary day with friends. Or even when you are doing the same mundane things on a Monday morning. Whatever it is, music is undeniably part of your daily life and for good reason.

Over the years, it has evolved, as well as how people create it with the instrument of their choice. Most have went on to become acclaimed guitarists of the world, others have explored classical, delving into the use of violins, piano and cello. Still others have preferred creating like steel pan music.

But the few who does, appreciates it well enough to know how versatile it can be. And the instrument is not something easy to learn. It would take an experienced musician to play it, because this kind of thing is much more complex than just listening to songs. Or playing the string instruments.

Many years ago, French planters came to the Caribbean during the French Revolution, bringing their slaves with them. That included a number of Africans, building a community in the island of Trinidad. Now these people were hungry to make music and express it by beating on metals.

Even though some of the pieces they used were outlawed, like bamboo bands or banned skin drums, they went on with their trial and error process. Through endless experimenting, they finally produced the kind of pitches acceptable to the ears. While there may be so many version to its origin, it cannot be argued that it had come from that island and Tobago.

What makes it such a hit especially among those who likes hearing percussion, is its ability to be versatile. It can play anything from acoustic to calypso and even a Bach symphony. Bands formed from it gained international success when they were introduced one day in the fiftys at a British event.

It had, over time, went on to greater heights, being sent to Britain as a part of an important event. That was where it gained and established international acclaim. And then went on to become as an art form widely accepted. It also identified the pan as a type of music that shaped the Trinidadian culture, earning acceptance and respectability.

Thereafter, it became stronger than ever, being introduced at various international and national festivals, even being played before the Queen of England when she came to visit. An association maintaining it, went on to provide activities specializing its kind of music. The pan movement became more widely known and organized.

Being an integral part of social life, even everyday life, there seems to be no end as to how songs or rhythm in instruments like steel drums will be created. It is part of the culture and identity of almost any country. And the pan is one nice lesson to remember how it can be as revolutionary as it is artistic.




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