The purpose of the current study is to provide students and instructors with a resource to study and teach steelpan through an understanding of the fundamental design and patterns inherent on each instrument. This will be accomplished through an investigation of how an awareness of the symmetrical note layout of the tenor pan, double seconds, triple cellos and six bass can be utilized when learning fundamental music concepts such as scales and chords. Caused by their symmetrical design, the patterns used in steelpan construction interact with the patterns of scales and chords to create commonalities that remain consistent when transposed. When students and teachers are aware of these commonalities, they can be utilized when teaching and learning the instruments. These patterns also inform performance on the instruments, as the commonalities in the transposable patterns lead to recurring stickings. Because of this, the stickings of scales and chords will be discussed throughout the study to determine how the symmetrical design of the instruments can be used to inform stickings. With this study, the author intends to demonstrate the importance of learning the organization of the instrument's note layout, rather than memorizing the location of each note independently. Because of steelpan's cyclical nature, and because the instruments do not conform to a chromatic centric note layout, it can be harder for students to identify the patterns used in steelpan construction. As a result, many novice steelpannists view the note layout of the instruments as a random assortment of notes. The steelpans have been methodically designed, however, and patterns in their note layout do exist. This study should serve as a resource for students and teachers to both acknowledge and understand these patterns.

Steel bands have become more prevalent in U.S. schools since the early 1980's. Through discussions with several of the leading steelpan builders in the United States, it is now estimated that there are over 600 steel bands in U.S. schools and universities. An appealing aspect of these ensembles is that they attract a wide range of students, from accomplished instrumentalists to students with no musical background. Due to their uniqueness in school music programs, steel bands are often extra-curricular activities but are often highly sought after for performances. This case study examines students' motivations to play in steel band (nontraditional music ensembles) including informal music education and learning, pedagogy, curriculum, and repertoire. It was found that students are attracted to the ensemble due to the uniqueness of the instruments, the repertoire, and for the opportunity to be part of a close community. Students value the opportunity for learning music in an informal manner where they are able to have input on the instructional process and what material is performed.

This document is directed toward those who have little knowledge about Trinidad, its people, the Carnival activities, and the Panorama competition. This research work should help summarize the evolution of steel drums while providing a transcription of a Panorama score for further scholarly study. The first part of this lecture document includes a brief history and evolution of Trinidad, its people, and musical developments through Carnival. The second portion reports and discusses field research with the Trintoc Invaders in preparation for the 1989 and 1990 Panorama competitions. The third part is a detailed analysis of Ray Holman's Panorama arrangement of "Life's Too Short" for the Trintoc Invaders using theme and variation as the formal structure. Information for this lecture recital document was gathered from written sources in Trinidadian libraries and field work in the Trintoc Invader's pan yard. The source materials: newspaper articles, magazine articles, and books were gathered from the University of the West Indies in St. Augustine and from the West Indian Collection of the Central Library in Belmont. In addition to these materials, interviews were conducted with some older panmen who participated in the very first steel bands. Documents, such as lists of steel bands in Trinidad and Tobago, Panorama results, and judging procedures were obtained from the Pan Trinbago headquarters in Port-of-Spain. Musical information was gathered by rehearsing and playing tenor pan with the Invaders Steel Band Orchestra located in Woodbrook and working closely with their arranger and composer, Ray Holman. Permission was granted to notate his arrangement for analysis and all rights are reserved.

This study examines how gender influences the performance practice of calypso, soca, steel band music, and other related musical genres in contemporary Trinidad. I address the history of these musical genres in this nation, and how they developed into their present form. My study of women in contemporary Trinidadian music examines how popular musicians bring together personal opinion, public persona, and musical structure, to create commentaries upon the contemporary moment (instrumental political agency) as well as emotional bonds with their intended audiences and show that an alternate way of organizing gender representations and inter-gender relations is possible (constitutive political agency). I use a performance based approach to studying various aspects of musical practice within Trinidad, and how this enhances women's agency within the public sphere of popular music, creating new kinds of cultural capital for previously underrepresented members of the population. Many different aspects of Trinidad’s expressive culture are discussed and related to the musical genres discussed therein. Trinidad Carnival, its history and aesthetics, receives particular attention. Performance practice within the musical genres of calypso and soca and the music of the steel orchestra are discussed in detail. Within Trinidad, expressive culture, including popular music, is a strong forum for communicating possible inter-personal and inter-gender relations. Thus, music in the Trinidadian context takes an important place alongside larger political projects and concerns. / text

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