Mastering The Double Tenor Pan

how to play double tenor pan

The double tenor pan is a member of the steelpan family of instruments. It is considered one of the most versatile steel drum instruments, with a range similar to that of a viola or tenor saxophone. The double tenor pan is played by a musician standing between two stands, with the drums tilted towards the player. The notes on the drums are separated by two grooves, at a distance of 10mm. The double tenor pan is considered easier to play than the double second pan, but more difficult to sound good on.

Characteristics Values
Difficulty level Double tenor is easier to play but harder to sound good on.
Sound The double tenor is louder and stands out more in a large band.
Notes The double tenor involves playing single notes for the most part.
Range The double tenor has a lower range than the double second.
Cost The double tenor is more expensive than the Low C Lead steel pan.
Portability The double tenor is less portable than the Low C Lead steel pan as its notes are spread across two barrels.
Tuning The double tenor's notes are separated by two grooves at a distance of 10mm.

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Double tenor vs. tenor: The double tenor is harder to play but easier to sound good on

The double tenor pan is harder to play than the tenor pan, but it is easier to sound good on. The double tenor pan is hung on two stands, with the player standing in the middle, similar to the double second pan. The double tenor has a short skirt, like the tenor pan, but the double second pan has a longer skirt.

The double second pan has a greater melodic range than the tenor pan, but it is harder to play. The double second pan is also more flexible, allowing the player to play the lead or accompany another instrument. When playing in a large band, the tenors are usually heard more and stand out, carrying the tune, while the double seconds are not as loud and can be harder to pick out.

Tenor pan playing mostly consists of single notes, which can be challenging to make sound good, similar to playing a xylophone. On the other hand, double seconds can also be played as single notes, but players can use occasional chord tones to fill out the sound more easily. This is because the chord notes on the second pans are lower in pitch and larger in size.

Some people prefer to learn the tenor pan first, as it is easier, and then move on to the double seconds. However, others argue that starting with the double seconds is better, as it is more challenging, and one might not learn to play it if they start with the tenor.

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Double tenor tuning: The notes are separated by two grooves at a distance of 10 mm

The double tenor pan has a tonal range of two and a half octaves, distributed over two drums with 15-17 notes in each. The notes are separated by two grooves, with a distance of 10 mm between them. This design feature may reduce the need for a harmonic arrangement of the notes, as the double grooves create a natural separation and organisation of the notes. The double tenor is played by the musician standing between two stands, with the supporting arms of the stands in line with each other. This setup allows for both drums to be used in the same stand setup, which is advantageous for steel band performances.

The double tenor is played with single notes for the most part and is similar to playing a xylophone. The double tenor has a shorter skirt length compared to the double seconds pan, which is another type of steel pan with a longer skirt and a deeper sound. The double seconds pan is considered more difficult to play and has a greater melodic range than the double tenor.

The double tenor pan is tuned to have a range of two and a half octaves, and the specific tuning and note placement can vary. For example, the ""Ellie Manette" styling of the double second pan has a range from low F#3 up to C#6, which is two semitones higher than the usual range. This is achieved by making each note smaller and moving specific notes to the outer ring to make space for the extra top notes.

The double tenor pan's inner border of the outer notes is straight, which may be for aesthetic purposes. A rounded border might improve the ease of tuning and reduce acoustic interference between the notes.

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Double tenor setup: The stands are almost parallel to each other to speed up playing

The double tenor pan is a type of steelpan instrument. It has a tonal range of two and a half octaves, spread across two drums, with 15-17 notes on each drum. The double tenor is set up on two stands, with the stands' supporting arms almost parallel to each other. This setup is designed for playing convenience and tonal range, rather than acoustics.

The stands are set up this way so that double tenors and tenors can use the same stands in steelband set-ups. However, this means that the drums will hang at a slight angle, with the back end lower than the front. This can be a disadvantage when playing fast pieces as it requires the player to lift their hands higher when moving from one drum to the other.

The double tenor is played in a similar way to the tenor pan, with the player standing in the middle of both stands. The double tenor has a shorter skirt than the double second pan, which can be used to tell them apart from a distance.

The double tenor is easier to play than the double second pan, but it is harder to sound good on. This is because the double tenor mostly uses single notes, similar to a xylophone, whereas the double second pan uses occasional chord tones to fill out the sound.

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Double tenor range: The double tenor is in the next lower range after the Low C Lead steel pan

The double tenor steel pan is in the next lower range after the Low C Lead steel pan. This means that the double tenor has a deeper pitch than the Low C Lead, but is still high-pitched enough to be an effective melody instrument. The double tenor is considered one of the most versatile steel drum instruments.

The double tenor has its notes spread across two barrels (two drums), which means there is more to carry around when compared to the Low C Lead, which has all its 29 notes on only one barrel. This makes the double tenor more costly than the Low C Lead, and the same goes for their accessories (stands, cases and mallets).

The double tenor is hung on two stands, with the player standing in the middle of both. It can be distinguished from the double second pan by looking at the length of each skirt. The double tenor has a short skirt like the tenor pan, while the double second has a longer skirt.

The double tenor is easier to play than the double second, but it is harder to sound good on. This is because tenor pan playing mostly involves single notes, similar to playing a xylophone. The double second, on the other hand, can also involve single notes, but players generally use occasional chord tones to fill out the sound. This is an easier task on second pans as the chord notes are lower in pitch and larger in size.

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Double tenor cost: It is more expensive than the Low C Lead steel pan, and its accessories are pricier

The Double Tenor pan is more expensive than the Low C Lead steel pan, and its accessories, such as stands, cases, and mallets, are also pricier. The Double Tenor pan is considered the most versatile of all the steel drum instruments, but its notes are spread across two barrels (two drums), which means there is more to carry around. This extra hardware comes at a cost.

The Low C Lead steel pan, also known as the Low Tenor or C Lead, is the most popular steel pan instrument, especially for beginners. It has a similar range to a flute and is comparable to a trumpet or soprano saxophone. The pan can be purchased with free shipping from some retailers, although this may not include all locations or additional items. The cost of the Low C Lead steel pan is not readily available, but as a popular option for beginners, it is likely to be more affordable than the Double Tenor.

The Double Tenor pan, on the other hand, is priced at £1245 from one retailer. This price reflects the increased versatility of the instrument, which has a wider range of notes and can play both harmony and melody. The Double Tenor pan also requires more accessories, such as an additional stand, which adds to the overall cost.

When considering the cost of the Double Tenor pan, it is important to factor in the price of its accessories. The stands, cases, and mallets required for the Double Tenor setup will be more expensive than those for a single-barrel pan like the Low C Lead. This is because the Double Tenor player stands in the middle of both pans, requiring two stands, while the Low C Lead player can use a single stand.

Overall, the Double Tenor pan offers greater versatility and a wider range of notes, but this comes at a higher cost for both the instrument itself and its necessary accessories. For those starting out with the steel pan, the Low C Lead may be a more affordable option, providing a similar range to other instruments and serving as a great introduction to the steel pan family.

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Frequently asked questions

A double tenor pan is a steel pan instrument with an alto range from F3 to C6 spread across two pans. It is hung on two stands with the player standing in the middle of both.

The double second pan has a bit more melodic range than the double tenor pan. The double tenor pan is easier to play, but it is harder to sound good on. The double second pan, on the other hand, is harder to play but easier to sound good on. Additionally, the double tenor pan has a short skirt like the tenor pan, while the double second pan has a longer skirt.

The double tenor pan costs more than the double second pan and its accessories (stands, cases, and mallets) are also more expensive.

To speed up the playing, Rudy Smith and other solo players have turned their stands with the supporting arms almost in parallel with each other. This allows the drums to be tilted towards the point between the drums where the player is standing, making it easier to move the sticks between the drums while playing.

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