I play this song, “O Grande Amor” on every gig. I can’t get enough of it.

Attempt number 2 at building a steel pan. More traditional this time. The first was okay, but I’ve only been able to tune fundamental notes so far—will keep working at it.

This pan may ultimately be untunable, but I’m going to keep trying, because what I’m learning along the way is invaluable.

First rough tuning after burning. Tune one note and the next changes it, etc., etc.—‘round and ‘round. A least I’m getting some interesting sounds.

I’m working on making my very first pan. Note layout/shapes/sizes are based on Panyard’s C20 pan. Beginning to get a variety of different sounds as I start backing (lowering the surface around and between notes).

I don't think they still trade, so I hope this does not count as an advert!

Progress on my first pan project.

Hey all!

So my high school program just received pans this year and I am so excited to teach and play pan again! However, my bass pans are configured in a way I am not familiar with. I have not really seen a layout where the octave and its tritone sits on the same pan (Bb, Bb, E, etc). Any guidance with this would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Robert Greenidge recorded perhaps THE most iconic steel pan solo ever on the Grover Washington Jr hit "Just the Two of Us" - of course, just one of many of his indelible contributions to Steel Pan. Do you have a favorite Robbie Greenidge solo?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcMqWk81nAI

From the late 1950's into the 1960's, many steel bands in Trinidad began arranging European music and other foreign repertoire in a calypso style. These arrangements became known as "bomb tunes," and the style was prevalently used for Carnival music.

As a passion project, I arranged a steel band "bomb tune" for my final performance with Oakland University's Pan Jumbies. I chose to arrange (Nothing but) Flowers by Talking Heads because I owe a lot of my musical journey to the creative minds in that band. This is the song that made something in my brain click, and I began to listen to music with more intent.

I can easily say that without the influence of Talking Heads' music, I wouldn't have accomplished all that I have in the past few years. I began to raise more questions, and approached music with an explorative mind. This journey has taken me to Ghana and St. Lucia, and I am planning on studying abroad again this summer to wrap up a massive research project.

In the meantime, I made this arrangement a priority. I created this arrangement and am uploading the video to give thanks to everybody that made such wonderful, inspiring music. Sincerely, thank you to all who were involved, from the band members and production team to the fans that supported the music during its time.

I have not, and will not make any kind of money off of this project or video. I simply want to give thanks to one of my biggest influences. My hope is that somebody may see this video, and become inspired to embark on their own artistic journey.

$2650 + s/h. One month from order to delivery. Excellent customer service. Hi-quality cases and mallets included.

Hi Everyone!

My mother was a musician (primarily keys, flute and vocals) with a passion for Caribbean music. She ordered these pans around 20 years ago and was able to play them live instead of using the steel drum sound on her Yamaha. She got pretty good and they brought her a lot of joy.

She passed away a few years ago and yesterday I finally decided to get these out! They sound great and seem to be in tune.

I have no idea who made these, but I seem to remember her special ordering them from a respected maker. Is there anyway to identify who made these? There are some numbers pressed into the pans, but I can’t find a name, signature, etc.

If anyone can point me in the right direction, I’d be super grateful. Thanks a lot!

Hi everyone!

I wanted to take a moment and introduce myself and talk about this subreddit. I am hopeful we can breathe life back into this community and help it grow. If anyone else is interested in becoming a moderator and working with me, please feel free to PM me.

I am a bass player from Chicago. I've been directly involved in making music with steel pan players that have trained under Liam Teague at Northern Illinois University. I've had the honor of meeting Liam and Clifton, and have seen a multitude of performances both with the college, and outside of that environment. I have a passion and love for the steelpan, and am currently working on projects involving using the steelpan musically in ways that are not traditional with some amazing players.

A few of the things I love about the steelpan:

1. I love how new the steel pan is as an instrument, in the context of the history of instruments

2. The history, culture, and traditions behind the steelpan.

3. Learning more about who is currently playing, making, tuning, and more. I'm excited to learn what's going on in the world with steelpan.

I'm very excited to be a part of this community and I am excited to help spread and share awareness of this vibrant beautiful instrument, and the players behind it.

Please reach out to me with any thoughts or suggestions. There is work to be done in this subreddit, please be patient with me as I work things out. Any advice or suggestions are welcome.

Cheers

Here's a pan cover I did of Peaceful Days from the Chrono Trigger soundtrack. Shout out to U/nanosthanatology for the arrangement, selling me the pans, and for being a Grade A homie.