The steel pan—made from the end of an oil drum—is probably the most important new acoustical (that is, nonelectronic) musical instrument developed in the 20th century. In addition to being the foremost musical instrument in its home country, Trinidad and Tobago, the steel pan is becoming increasingly popular in North America and Europe. (See figure 1). The modern family of steel pans now covers a five‐octave range, and steel bands of today use them to perform calypso, jazz, and popular and classical music.

Topics
Acoustics, Musical instruments
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© 1996 American Institute of Physics.
1996
American Institute of Physics
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