Tips for Playing in a Steel Band

Video Transcript

ALAN MARK LIGHTNER: Hi. I'm Alan Lightner, I'm here with Expert Village, and we're talking about playing the steelpans and fitting in to various musical ensembles or situations. One of the most popular musical ensembles, that you can play, find yourself playing with, playing steelpans, is a steelband or steel orchestra, which is what's commonly found in Trinidad and around the world this days. That's where you have the whole orchestra, the whole range of steel drums playing together from the bass, to the guitars, the double seconds, which are what these instruments are, and the leads. It's almost like playing a violin or a viola or a cello or the bass violin; similar instruments but different ranges. When you're playing in that situation, and that's called a steelband, and you've got music that is written for the steelband. In that situation, if you're playing this particular instrument, you're going to play your part. You're going to fit in to the whole musical scheme. And in this range, this would be, following with my example, this would be more like the viola in the orchestra. Not the violin; the violin would have the highest part. The viola would be playing a little bit lower. So, with that you'll play some melodies, and you'll also play some chordal accompaniment to accompany the lead players or the violins. So, fitting in with the steel band, one must be aware of your part. Typically playing steel drums, you're going to play rhythmic parts. You may play [PLAYING STEEL DRUMS], playing that as a rhythmic accompaniment to whatever the melody is. So, being aware of that at all times is very important, not to over step your bounds and not to start playing solos, but play just your part and fit in with the whole orchestra.

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