Music and Social Studies The Steel Band Movement STEEL DRUMS March 25-28 Music and Social Studies

National Standards MU:CR1.1.5a Improvise rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic ideas and explain connection to purpose and context such as social cultural and historical MU:Cr 1.1.5b Generate musical ideas such as rhythms, melodies, and accompaniment patterns within specific related tonalities, meters, and simple chord changes. MU:Cn11.0.5a Demonstrate understanding of relationships between music and the other arts, other disciplines, varied contexts, and daily life.

Learning Target I can discuss, evaluate and connect African music to Carribbean steel drum music.

Essential Question What are STEEL DRUMS and Where did they come from? Turn to your elbow partner and discuss the question. Share answers in class

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Caribbean Islands Map

Where do Steel Drums Come From? The steel drum was invented on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. This islands are located in the Caribbean south of the United States. * 7

The Slave Trade In the History of the islands there have been several different nations who claimed ownerships of the island. These nations are Spain, Netherlands, Britain, and France. In turn these nations brought over slaves from Africa in order to work in the sugar cane and cocoa plantations which Trinidad is still known for today. * 8

African Drumming The slaves from Africa brought their some of their culture by playing african drums. Djembe * 9

Tamboo Bamboo Bands Britain abolished slavery in 1833. Soon after Britain abolished all African drumming. Went to the junkyards and found pieces of metal, tin cans, and stalks of bamboo and played their drumming rhythms on these found instruments. Spanish name for drum is tambor *

Winston “Spree” Simon Winston “Spree” Simon and he is credited with developing the first “steel drum” He had a favorite Tin Can. “Thick Lip” Bartholomew, borrowed the can and dented it up. Spree was upset and tried to pop out the dents by hammering on the other side of the can. He found that certain dents could hold certain pitches, giving birth to the modern steel drum. * 11

How the drums are made During WWII Trinidad was a refueling station for the United states and Britain Discarded 55 gallon oil drums, Spree applied his concept to the oil drums A tuner would heat the bottom of the drum, smooth it out into a bowl and then turn it over and pop out notes. * 12

The Steel Band Orchestra There a standard set of voices in the steel band, just like a choir Tenor-Soprano Double Second-Alto Cello-Tenor Bass- Bass * 13

Tenor The tenor pan is the highests voice in the steel band. The tenor drum plays melodies because of its high range This instrument is comprised of only one drum * 14

Double Second They play counter melodies and harmony They also play set patterns/chords which are called “strums” just like a guitar player would play The instrument is comprised of two drums * 15

Cello The cello are the third lowest voice The instrument is three drums that are almost full length barrels, that sit on the ground. As the notes get lower in range the player needs more drums in order to be able to play all the notes 16 *

Bass Bass pans usually play bass lines just like a bass player in jazz band There are six full length barrels that make up this instrument Each drum has only three notes in it because the notes are so low. * 17

How are Steel Drums made?

Wrap Up Where are steel drums from? What is used to make a steel drum? How were steel drums first invented? I wonder...