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Jamaican Steel Drums
The Instrument Of Caribbean Music

Jamaican Steel Drums BandJamaican Steel Drum Band At Grand Palladium Hotel

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by Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer

Have you ever watched a movie and saw the steel band playing on the beachside with everyone around happy and enjoying themselves? I’m sure you almost immediately associate the unique sound with vacationing on an island? From calypso to reggae and ska, Jamaican Steel drums bring vibrancy, life and enjoyment to many genres of music and its listeners as well.

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What Are Jamaican Steel Drums?

Jamaican steel drums, also called steel pans or Caribbean drums, is a type of percussion instrument. Percussion instruments are those that produce sounds by being hit or scraped. They are usually either a membranophone which are instruments that produce sound by a stretched membrane, or an idiophone which are instruments that produce sound through the vibration of itself.

Fun fact, the steel pan is the only percussion instrument in existence that is both a membranophone and an idiophone. The steel pan is played with wooden or bamboo sticks with the ends wrapped in rubber.

Are Steel Drums From Jamaica?

No. Contrary to the belief of many Jamaicans, the steel drums, even though used here frequently, were not created by Jamaicans. The steel drums originated in the neighbouring Caribbean island of Trinidad.

In the 19th century, after all, musical instruments were banned in Trinidad, their people decided to create their instruments. Before the band of instruments, the slaves who were of African descent would celebrate their version of a French festival called Canboulay. People would dance in the streets as percussionists played vibrant music on their instruments. Canboulay would oftentimes turn very violent which is what led to the ban. 

Not allowing the ban to stop their fun, people started using pots and pans from their homes to create music. But then in the 20th century, during the time that large cargo ships would travel around the world bringing chemicals, pannists (steel drum players) discovered that the steel bottoms of the oil drums left by the cargo ships produced a sound they preferred over the regular pots and pans.

Does Reggae Music Use Jamaican Steel Drums?

Yes! After Steel drum music began to spread across the Caribbean islands from Trinidad, Jamaican musicians started incorporating it in Reggae and Ska music.

What Does The Steelpan Sound Like?

It is probably difficult for a non-musician to describe the sound of a steel pan, yet the sound is so distinctive and unique that it can’t be confused with any other instrument. It can be quite contradicting to describe the sound of a steel pan.

The sound of a steel pan tends to be quite high, racy and dramatic yet manages to provide its listeners with a feeling of calm, excitement, peace and pure bliss. Each steel pan produces a different sound based on the characteristics of the pan being played. Steelpan pitches range from G1 to F6.

What Does A Steel Pan Look Like?

Steel pans or steel drums resemble large deep frying pans or could be described as being similar to Chinese wok. The original steel pans were made from 55-gallon metallic barrels that were used to carry oil. They are sometimes referred to as drums. However, modern-day steel drums are made from metallic sheets that are usually around 0.8mm to 1.5mm in thickness.

To finish and provide some sheen to the instrument it is then plated in chrome or nickel. The surface of the steel pan is stretched to form a concave and is attached to what is called a skirt. The surface has several different sections called notes. Steel pans are usually played on H-shaped metal stands that help to give them height and hold them in place.

What Are The Types Of Steel Drums?

There are a few different types of steel drums, the design of each is what determines the sounds that come from them.

  • Tenor or Lead Pan – plays the highest range and has only one barrel.
  • Double Tenor Pan – plays the 2nd highest range and has two barrels.
  • Double Seconds Pan – plays notes a little lower than the double tenor pan and also has 2 barrels.
  • Guitar Pan – comprises of two pans with fewer notes than the double second pan.
  • Cello Pan – has three (Treble Guitars) or four barrels (Tenor Bass) used to form a semi-circle. 
  • Quadrophonics –  similar to the cello pan but drums are arranged with 2 barrels flat in front of the player and the remaining two set vertically.
  • Bass Pan – plays the lowest range.

Even though the Jamaican Steel Drums was not invented here, it's one of a kind, beautiful melodies have secured its spot in Jamaican culture forever.

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References & Sources For Jamaican Steel Drums

  1. The Complete Guide to Jamaican Steel Drums: Origins, Sounds and How to Play Them, https://steeldrumsforsale.net/jamaican-steel-drums/  
  2. The Rise of Steel Pan Music In Jamaica, http://www.panoridim.net/news/rise-steel-pan-music-jamaica  http://www.panoridim.net/news/rise-steel-pan-music-jamaica Steel Pans - CultureMix, https://culturemixarts.co.uk/education/resources/about-steel-pans/

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