Not So Crazy Intrument Installment

So inspired by an old rerun of 'How It's Made' and with a friend who is just learning how to play them, I have decided to grace this blog with a small overview of (in my opinion) one of the most interesting sounding instruments:the Steel Drum (also known as a 'Pan').

The SteelDrum or Pan is actually very newly invented as far as instruments go, showing up in the 1930's. The Drum first made its appearance in Trinidad:

which was under British rule since the 1800's. In an attempt to keep the native people from communicating rebellion effort amongst themselves, the British outlawed the use of hand drums and later, other methods that they began using, all dealing in rhythmic percussion. Finally the Trinidadians, as they were, turned to something called 'Iron Bands'. These bands were made up of instruments composed of various resonating material found as garbage and were marched down streets. One such piece of 'garbage' with a dent in it is said to have inspired the creation of the Steel Drum

The origional drum was actually domed shaped instead of concave and a man by the name of Winston Simon was said to be the first person to create one:

Later, a painter by the name of Ellie Manette changed the shape to a bowl and the drum took the form that is has today.

The Pans have a variety of types like any instrument, ranging from the Tenor(or lead) type drum down to the Twelve Bass and are often used heavily in Calypso music although they can play pretty much anything you can think of. Take a listen:
I Can See Clearly Now
Maryanne
Morning Dance
Girl From Ipanema

Very Punny
When a musician plays a scale on a newly cleaned piano, he goes from C to shining C.