Steel Pan Playing: A Beginner's Guide

Playing the steel pan, also known as the steel drum, is a fun and fascinating activity. It is a pitched percussion instrument played by striking the metal surface with beaters. The steel pan is said to create a unique and magical sound reminiscent of beautiful beaches and Caribbean islands. While it may look simple, it is a complicated instrument with a large note range and can be challenging to learn. In this guide, we will cover the basics of playing the steel pan, including the correct height, stance, and mallet grip, as well as some playing techniques.

Choosing the right steel drum for you

Choosing the right steel drum can be tricky, but it's important to select one that suits your needs and playing style. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a steel drum:

Type of Steel Pan

The first thing to consider is the type of steel pan you want. There are two main types: stainless steel and carbon steel. Stainless steel pans are highly durable, versatile, and relatively low-maintenance. They are usually layered with conductive metals like aluminum to improve heat conduction and distribution. On the other hand, carbon steel pans are thinner and lighter, making them more portable and easier to play. Carbon steel pans also need to be seasoned before use to prevent rust and build a non-stick surface.

Size and Depth

The size and depth of the steel pan are important considerations, especially if you have limited space or want a more portable option. Deeper pans are better for cooking larger quantities of food, while shallower pans are ideal for dishes like omelettes, as they allow the food to slide out easily. If you plan on adding sauces or liquids to your dish, a deeper pan with higher sides may be preferable.

Heat Conduction and Distribution

When choosing a steel pan, consider the material's heat conduction and distribution properties. Stainless steel, when cladded with aluminum or copper, conducts heat extremely well and provides even heating. Carbon steel pans, on the other hand, can be slow to heat up and may be prone to hot spots, so they may not be ideal if you're looking for a pan that heats up quickly and evenly.

Maintenance and Care

Consider the level of maintenance and care you are willing to put into your steel pan. Stainless steel pans are generally low-maintenance and easy to clean. Carbon steel pans, however, require more care and need to be seasoned regularly to maintain their non-stick surface. If you're looking for a pan that is easier to maintain, a stainless steel option may be preferable.

Price

Finally, consider your budget when choosing a steel pan. Stainless steel pans tend to be more expensive, especially high-quality options. Carbon steel pans are usually more affordable, but may not offer the same level of performance and durability as their stainless steel counterparts.

Remember to consider your playing style, the type of music you want to create, and the level of maintenance you are comfortable with when choosing the right steel drum for you.

Setting up the drum

Height and Distance

Set the drum at waist height for easy access. This ensures that your hands are in a comfortable position to play. It is also important to ensure that you are standing at the correct distance from the drum. You should not be too close or too far from the instrument. Your elbows should be slightly away from the drum, allowing you to hit all the notes conveniently.

Tuning

Tuning is a crucial aspect of setting up your steel drum. It is recommended to leave this task to a professional tuner. The tuner will use a small hammer and a rubber-tipped tuning stick to adjust the two elements of the drum's tone: the fundamental (playing pitch) and the timbre (colour of the tone). The tuning process consists of three main steps:

• Coarse tuning: This involves softening the metal and setting the correct pitch.
• Fine tuning: The pitch and timbre are adjusted while the drum hangs in the playing position.
• Blending: This is the final tuning stage, where the pitch, timbre, and loudness of the various notes are fine-tuned and blended with the other instruments in the steel band.

Mallet Grip

Learning the correct grip for the pan mallet is essential. Different pannists use different techniques, but you can choose from the following common grips:

• Grip the mallet with a fist.
• Press the grip with your index finger.
• Hold more than one-third of the mallet with a light grip.
• Grip the mallet with three fingers.

It is important not to hold the mallet too tightly, as this will affect the sound. A looser grip is better, and you should keep the mallet contact time as short as possible to allow the drum to vibrate freely and produce the best notes.

Holding the pan drum mallets

There are several common variations on the grip:

• Grip the mallet with a fist
• Press the grip with your index finger
• Hold more than one-third of the mallet with a light grip
• Grip the mallet with three fingers

If the mallet is held too tightly, it will inhibit the flexibility required for a good playing technique. Conversely, if the grip is too loose, the player may not be able to produce impressive noises. It is important to strike each note accurately and with speed, and a good grip facilitates this.

The duration of contact between the mallet and the notes should be as short as possible to allow the notes to vibrate freely and sound properly. One way to achieve this is to imagine that you are striking a hot surface with your bare fingers.

Learning the basic strokes

To play a steel pan, you need to master the basic strokes. There are two main strokes used to play the steel pan: the down-up stroke (or piston stroke) and the flick.

The down-up stroke is a down-up hit, where you move your wrist up and then allow the mallet to bounce back up to its starting position.

For the flick, you need to move your wrist from left to right. Flick your wrist backward, and then let it rebound as your wrist returns to its normal position.

To create a rolling sound that sustains the tone of the steel pan, rapidly alternate between piston and flick strokes. These strokes should be played evenly and quickly. This is probably the most important technique to master to produce the classic steel pan sound.

To play the steel pan, stand with your feet firmly planted and your weight evenly balanced between them. Do not stand too close or too far from the instrument. Your elbows should be slightly away from your body so that you can move freely without feeling cramped when playing the notes closest to you.

To hold the mallet, place it between your thumb and the first joint of your index finger. The remaining fingers should then wrap lightly around the shaft of the stick so that the fingertips gently touch the palm of your hand. No more than half an inch of the unwrapped end of the stick should protrude below the little finger.

The grip should be fairly loose but must get tighter when playing the smaller, higher-pitched notes if the intensity of the sound is to be maintained. The mallets are held the same way in each hand, in a matched grip position.

Practising scales

When practising scales, focus on the major, melodic minor, harmonic minor, and chromatic scales. Use logical hand coordination to avoid awkwardness and try not to strike more than three consecutive notes with the same hand. Ideally, you should stick to two consecutive notes per hand.

Soprano pan: L R R L L R R L

Double tenor pan: L R R L R L R L

Double second pan: L L L R L R R L

For the C Melodic Minor scale:

Soprano pan: R R L L R R L R

Double tenor pan: L R L L R L R L

Double second pan: L L R R L R R L

And for the C Harmonic Minor scale:

Soprano pan: R R L L R L L R

Double tenor pan: L R L L R L R L

Double second pan: L L R R R L R L

Now, experiment with hand sequences for the chromatic scale and stick with the one that you find most comfortable.

Chromatic Scale: C Db D Eb E F Gb G Ab A Bb B C

Frequently asked questions