Steel Drums

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A steel drum, also called a steelpan, is a type of drum that is made from a metal oil barrel. Steel drums differ from drums found in a regular drum set because they can be tuned to a certain pitch. This allows the steel drums to be played in such a way that they can actually create a melody.

History of Steel Drums

Steel drums were first made and used in Trinidad, which is located in the West Indies. There are some legends associated with the first created steel drums and it is hard to tell the differences between fact and fiction. A man called Winston "Spree" Simon is often credited with developing the first steel drum out of a biscuit tin. Oil drums were later used. The first steel drum record was made in the early 1940's.

Steel Drums today

When the steel drums were first developed, the elite classes looked down on both the music and the players. Now, not only are steel drum players more respected, there are people who specialize in making the drums themselves and the pitch that each drum is tuned in is standardized.

Making Steel Drums

To make a steel drum, the top of a metal barrel is pounded on until the desired shape is achieved. This process is called "sinking" the drum and it is only complete when a bowl shape is created. Then, the drum is heated until it is white hot and then cooled. After this, the pitches are created by making oval shapes at the top. When the desired pitch is achieved, the steel drum is complete. Since hitting the drum causes it to go out of tune, there are specific methods that are used to tune it.

The sound of steel drums is a definite sign that you are in the West Indies. Though steel drums were developed in Trinidad, they can be found in the islands throughout the area and in other parts of the world. The US Navy even had its own steel drum band. The sound is reminiscent of the islands, but is also incorporated in music throughout the world.