What are the different types of steel pans?
- Tenor ('lead') Pan – highest range, single barrel; traditionally plays the melody in steel band arrangements.
- Double Tenor Pan – next highest range, comprised of two barrels. ...
- Double Seconds Pan – slightly lower than the Double Tenors, also comprised of two barrels.
There are several variations which make up the family of steelpans; Tenor, Double Tenor, Double Second, Double Guitar, Tenor Bass, Six Bass, there is even an E-Pan and a G-Pan!
There are different types of steel drums: Tenor pan. Double tenor pan. Double seconds pan.
There are two main types of steel drum: open-head and tight head. Both can be fitted with a range of nozzles and accessories to increase their range of use, and to make emptying and filling more efficient.
STEEL PAN INNOVATORS
Winston 'Spree' Simon - is credited with creating the first 'melody pan' which carried eight pitches. This was the first pan that could accommodate an entire melody.
Percussion instrument | |
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Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 111.241.12, 111.241.22 (Gongs with divided surface sounding different pitches, Sets of gongs with divided surface sounding different pitches) |
Developed | 1880–1937 |
Playing range | |
G1–F6 |
How to Choose a Steel Tongue Drum: Your Guide to Finding ... - YouTube
Tenor package pricing which is $1700.00 which includes the pan, powder coated stand, case, and mallets.
The High Tenor Pan is also called the D-Lead, Soprano or Melody Pan, and carries the melody in the steelpan orchestra. The High Tenor Pan is also called the D-Lead, Soprano or Melody Pan, and carries the melody in the steelpan orchestra.
It consists of a circular playing surface made from steel stretched into a concave shape that is attached to a hollow, cylindrical resonator called a skirt. The steel pan is typically recycled from a 55 gallon oil drum. This surface is optimised into a number of isolated convex sections called notes.
How does a steel pan work?
How It's Made: Steel Drums - YouTube
The two main strokes used to play steel pan are: The Down-Up Stroke / Piston Stroke. The Flick.

The first character used determines the type of container. Here, the number “1” is used because that is the UN code for drums. The letter “A” denotes the container is made of steel and the number “2” indicates it is an open head style. In the next section, the first character is the class rating for UN classifications.
55 Gallon Steel Drums – Dimensions and Specifications
The standard thickness of the steel is between 0.9 and 1.5 mm (20-16 gauge steel), and the drums are often reinforced with ribs or rolling hoops at both the top and bottom of the barrel as well as at each third of the barrel's height.
Carbon Steel Drums (Open Head) Open Head Carbon Steel Drums (removable top) are available in 5 gallon (19 liters), 10 gallon (38 liters), 16 gallon (61 liters), 20 gallon (76 liters), 30 gallon (114 liters), and 55 gallon (208 liters) sizes.
The steel pan, often referred to incorrectly as a steel drum, emerged in the 1930s. Metal objects including car parts, paint pots, dustbins, oil drums and biscuit tins, were originally used as percussion instruments, but at some point they began to be tuned.
A drum built from an oil barrel
The Steel drum (originally called steelpan, or just « pan ») is the result of an empirical evolution in Trinidad and Tobago during the 1930's and 40's. They've been invented by “Pioneers” like Winston “Spree” Simon, Bertie Marshall, Jonathan Francis or the famous Elie Manette.
Double Seconds are comprised of two barrels and are in a lower range than lead pans. They are more effective playing harmony while still being high pitched enough to be a melody instrument. The lowest note is about a half octave below middle C and the instrument has a range of about 2 & 1/2 octaves chromatic.
The guitar pan is a set of two drums played by one person with a baritone range. The side of the barrel is cut a little less than half way. Between the longer sides and the tuning scheme, the guitars have a dark and mellow sound with a musical range from D3-‐ A4.
What type of instrument is a steel pan?
STEEL PAN or other Instrument | |
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Engine Room | Conga Drums |
Trapset | |
Guiro (scratcher) | |
Iron (assorted) |
While a steel pan looks like a bowl or wok, a steel tongue drum looks more like a propane tank with the nozzles and base cut off. The drum emits different tones from different “tongues” that are cut into the top side of the instrument. The size and weight of the tongues determine the sound and pitch of the note.
Learning the steel drums is actually very easy.
Tuning steel drums requires a lot of skill. Normally, I recommend persons use a trained steel drum tuner, but I realize this may not be possible in Mauritius. When your steel drum needs tuning, you may have to ship the steel drum back to the supplier and have them to tune it for you.
It is fully chromatic, and you can play it in any key.
The steel pan (also known as steel drums, or 'pan') was created in Trinidad and Tobago in the 1930s. It was established in contexts of Carnival resistance, its history being traced back to the enslaved Africans who were brought to the Caribbean in the 1700s.
The double guitar pan consists of two drums, cut to half their lengths, with eight notes in each. The tonal range just above one octave, from D3 to F4. The guitar pan is mostly used as a rhythm instrument, playing chords, in the same way as an ordinary guitar in an orchestra.
The most common type of steelpan that people may think of when they first learn about the instrument is the tenor steelpan. Tenor steelpan. The tenor pan, sometimes referred to as the lead pan, soprano pan or single tenor, was invented by Winston “Spree” Simon.
Tuners use a variety of tools to make and tune steel pans including hammers, electronic tuning machines and tuning forks. For the final part of the process the pan is finely tuned producing accurately pitched notes. The pan is either chromed, powder coated or painted to give a pleasing finish to the instrument.
The double tenor is a versatile instrument with 31 notes and 6" skirt, having a wide range for playing melody lines and harmonies. They can serve as an important melodic voice within a steel band or as a solo instrument.
What is the name of a large number of steel pans playing together?
steel band, also spelled steelband, Trinidadian music ensemble, particularly associated with Carnival, that is primarily composed of steel idiophones—called pans or steel pans—made from the bottoms of 55-gallon oil barrels.
The shape of the steel pan sound is somewhat like that of a banjo, but with more body, decay and fullness. Good steel pan tone has what can be described as a broader sound than most other instruments -full yet shimmering with an edginess that excites and a sustain that soothes.
Making A Steel Drum - YouTube
Stand directly in front of the instrument leaving approximately 4-5 inches between the body and the skirt of the pan. Distribute your body weight evenly between your feet. Keep your hands close to the playing surface at all times. This is essential if you are to play accurately and with speed.
#Facilitator Friday: Steel Pans Stick Technique - YouTube
Double second pans are the second highest pitched instruments (after the lead pans) in the ensemble and usually play countermelodies or provide high harmonic support to lead pan melodies in a f to fff dynamic range.
Seems like a no brainer, but it is a common mistake. Even if it looks clean or has been sterilized, it should not be used to store food or water. Non-food-grade materials, such as a non-food-grade plastic or stainless steel can leak dangerous chemicals into anything you store in them.
Most drums display the thickness of the drums in parts, top/body/bottom (1.2/0.9/1.5). That would mean that the top is 1.2 mm thick (18 gauge), the body is 0.9 mm thick (20 gauge), and the bottom is 1.5 mm thick (16 gauge). Most drums fall in the range of 0.9 – 1.5 mm thick.
Food grade steel is as easier to clean and sanitize than plastic, and is food-safe from top to bottom. The seams, fitting and closure all meet any necessary food grade requirements in order to ensure both your goods and the consumer is protected.
What does a filled 55-gallon drum weigh? Fifty-five gallons of water weighs 459 pounds, so depending on the drum, you're looking at around 500 pounds. Your drum could be heavier or lighter, depending on the density of your product.
Why are oil drums 55 gallons?
The barrels finally changed in 1905, when Nellie Bly patented the steel drum still used today. Bly designed her barrels to carry more oil, 55 gallons, and to leak less. Her invention also caused the barrel's meaning to separate from its physical reality.
55 Gallon Steel Drums
Reusable, reconditionable, and environmentally friendly, the 55 gallon steel drum measures 22.5" by 33.0" (57cm x 84cm), and weighs up to 80 pounds (37 kg) depending on gauge/metal thickness.
A drum (also called a barrel) is a cylindrical shipping container used for shipping bulk cargo. Drums can be made of steel, dense paperboard (commonly called a fiber drum), or plastic, and are generally used for the transportation and storage of liquids and powders.
Steel barrels are used to ensure that the materials are not leaked or exposed at any point along their transportation route. Any number of liquids or solids, or a combination of the two may be stored or transported in steel barrels.
The container's large range of utility and long history makes it one of the most recognizable steel drums. Its shape and size are easy to identify. The average Skolnik 55 US gallon open head drum is 34.70 inches in height with a diameter of 20.50 inches.
Heat Tolerance: Carbon steel pans can withstand much higher temperatures than stainless steel without damaging. Most stainless steel pans can handle between 500 and 600 degrees Fahrenheit, while carbon steel pans can handle between 600 and 800 degrees. Some brands, such as Made In, are safe up to 1200 degrees.
Carbon steel frying pans are much better heat conductors—their cooking surfaces can remain hot even when you take them off the heat source. 4. Stickiness: While neither carbon nor stainless steel pans are completely nonstick cookware, carbon steel pans do a much better job of repelling sticky food.
Stainless steel pans and surfaces are the best for browning ingredients-and since they're usually uncoated, unlike nonstick varieties, they are more durable and resistant to slip-ups in the kitchen.
The steel pan is the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago. Made from discarded oil drums, it is the only musical instrument invented in the 20th century. [French: 'Tambour' for drum].
Chefs, professional cooks, and restaurants use stainless steel cookware. They prefer it because it's practically indestructible. The construction and material offer superior heat distribution, and when used properly, a stainless steel pan can keep food from sticking.
Why do chefs use carbon steel pans?
A carbon-steel skillet can brown food just as deeply and evenly as cast iron. It also has two advantages: It heats up more quickly, and its lighter weight makes it easier to handle.
Safe – Carbon steel is made from iron and carbon, both materials are non-toxic and food safe. Additionally, a carbon steel pan doesn't come with a non-stick surface, but rather you season the pan with oil or lard; also non-toxic, so the surface is non-stick without any added chemicals.