Virtual Instrument Museum

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

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

Geographic Region: Caribbean

Country of origin: Trinidad and Tobago

Climatic type: Tropical

Time period: 20th century - present.

Classification: Idiophone

Material:

• Steel
• Steel Barrel
• Metal

SvH No.: 111.2

Ensembles:

• Steel Band

Related Instruments:

• Steel Pan (tenor)
• Steel Pan (guitars)
• 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

The cello pans consist of either three or four drums with a "skirt" or side length of approx 45 cm (Blake, 114). 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 cello pans must be suspended on stands or a rack to allow the drums to resonate and are played with thick rubber mallets. The Wesleyan Collection currently owns the "triple cello" instruments.

Tuning

The triple cello notes have an average of 24 chromatic notes falling between B2 and D5 (Blake, 114). The "four cello" has a range between G2 to C#5.

History

The cello instruments are utilized mostly as a "strumming" instrument for the lower portions of harmony, as well as countermelody.

References

See Steel Band.

Last Modified: 05-May-2005