Virtual Instrument Museum

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	Steel Pan (guitars) Image 1 1000 x 612 780 x 472
	Steel Pan (guitars) Image 2 1000 x 612 780 x 472

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•Steel Pan (guitars) Video 1
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Name: Steel Pan (guitars)

Geographic Region: Caribbean

Country of origin: Trinidad and Tobago

Climatic type: Tropical

Time period: 20th century to present.

Classification: Idiophone

Material:

• Steel Barrel

SvH No.: 111.2

Ensembles:

• Steel Band

Related Instruments:

• Steel Pan (tenor)
• Steel Pan (Cello)
• Steel Pan (bass)
• Steel Pan (Double Tenor)
• Steel Pan (Double Seconds)
• Steel Pan (Quadrophonics)

Author: Amelia K. Ingram
           

Related Web Sites:

• Pan Trinbago
• The Steelbands of Trinidad and Tobago

Physical Description | Tuning | History | References

Physical Description

This instrument consists of two pans with a "skirt" or side length of approx 45 cm. The lowest notes found along the circumference of the bowl are U-shaped, while the higher octave notes are either oval or circular-shaped inside. The guitar pans must be suspended on stands or a rack to allow the drums to resonate and are played with thick rubber mallets.

Tuning

The double guitar pans have an average of 20 notes with the chromatic range falling between C3 and G#4. The triple guitar (not found in our collection) has 27 notes with a chromatic range falling between Bb2 and C5.

History

The middle range guitar pans were designed to support the melody played by the "frontline" or upper range pans (such as the tenor, double tenor and double second pans). The guitar pans are used to support the lower portions of the harmony by "strumming" chordal accompaniment as well as playing simple countermelody.

References

See Steel Band.

Last Modified: 05-May-2005