HISTORY OF THE STEELPAN
HOW THE STEELPAN STARTED
THE STEELPAN FAMILY
LOW TENOR
HIGH TENOR
Low Tenor/High Tenor
The High Tenor and Low Tenor (also known as a Soprano Pan),is the frontline instrument in the steel band. This instrument is used to play the melody of the tune and it has 28-29 notes.
Double Tenor
The Double Tenor, uses two pans. The Double Tenor can also be used to carry the melody, a harmony and for playing chords. The Left Pan has 15 notes and The right Pan has 15 notes.
The Double Second Pan
The Double Second, uses two pans. The Double Second can also be used to carry the melody, a harmony and for playing chords. The Left Pan has 16 notes and The right Pan has 16 notes
The Guitar Pan
The guitar pan uses 2 pans and got its name because it is used mainly for strumming. It is normally used to provide the harmony in a band. This steel drum has a mellow and deeper sound due to its longer skirt. Each pan has 10 notes.
The Cello Pan
The Cello Pan uses 3 pans, each of which contains the four notes. The longer skirt gives it a deep sound and is used the for the low harmony and strumming . Each pan has 9 notes.
The Quadrophonic Pan
The quadrophonic steel pan uses 4 pans. This unique instrument can carry the melody and parts of harmony and chords within a piece of music. Each pan has 9 notes.
4 Pan Bass and 6 bass
This bass steel drum is also called a Tenor Bass and uses four drums, each of which contains notes .This pan is used to provide the bass parts in music. Each pan has 5 notes.
Other bass pans used are the six-bass (most common), seven bass, nine-bass and less commonly, the twelve-bass. The 6 bass pan has 3 notes each.