The steel drum (or acier pan, tambour en acier) is a percussion instrument originating from Trinité-et-Tobago in the Caribbean. It is made from oiled steel barrels, tuned by precise striking.
History and usage
The steel drum was born in the 1930s-40s in Trinidad, within the framework of the Carnival of Port-d’Espagne. It is the national instrument of Trinité-et-Tobago and has influenced Caribbean music (calypso, soca) and certain Latin American musics.
Notable players
- Rupert Bisset — pioneer of the steel drum
- Andy Narell — virtuoso of the steel band