GENERAL INFORMATION:

Steelpan instruments are versatile musical instruments.

Steelpan instruments are capable of playing music of varying styles.

Apart from playing calypso music, steelpan instruments can play classical music, jazz music, reggae music, chutney music and even Christmas music.

Music of differing styles will be presented for appreciation by three of our nation's Schools' Steel Orchestras.

As pupils listen to the arrangements, they'll have an opportunity to recognize and identify the various sections of the Steel Orchestra. The frontline Section, the midrange section and the background section.

THE BROADCAST:

In this broadcast we introduce steelpan instruments belonging to the mid-range section of the steelband viz. the guitar pans and the cello pans.

GUITAR PANS

The guitar pans may come in sets of two, or sets of three.

The double guitar pan is a pair of pans played by a single performer. And as the name suggests, the triple guitar pan is a set of three pans played by a single performer.

The guitar pans play the harmony parts in the music. Sometimes they play chords in a strumming style. This strumming of chords remind us of the strumming of a guitar hence the name guitar pans.

CELLO PANS

The cello pans may come in sets of three or sets of four.

The triple cello is a set of three pans played by a single performer.

The "four cello" or "four pan" is a set of four pans played by a single performer.

The cello pans play lower notes than the guitar pans.

The main functions of the Cello pans are:

1. To support the melody of the frontline pans.
2. To play counter melodies.
3. To play supporting harmonies.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the broadcast students should be able to:

1. Name the steelpan instruments in the mid-range section of the steelband, and to identify, by sight and sound, the guitar and cello pans.
2. Appreciate music of differing styles played by steelpan instruments.

SUGGESTED FOLLOW-UP:

Attend steelband festivals, concerts, and competitions.

CURRICULUM AREA / LEVEL:

Primary and Secondary up to CXC (Social Studies / Music) Adult Education Centres and Teachers' Colleges.

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