Thoughts and ideas relating to the music and culture of Trinidad and Tobago , especially the steelpan and the steelband
Many of us may not realize the critical nature of accurate sound reproduction, to the understanding and appreciation of orchestral music,for example Panorama music, when played by the steelband. This is even more applicable to people relatively unfamiliar with the steelband, it's culture, its makeup, and the different tonal qualities among the pans. With any … Continue reading THE PANORAMA STEELBAND- Sight and Sound
Over the years I've seen many exotic hand percussion musical instruments which, like the steel-pan are members of the idiophone family. Though interesting and unique in their own ways however, none of them can compare to the steel pan, with its culture, history and acceptance as a legitimate musical instrument. Indeed, I would suggest that … Continue reading Our incredible musical creation,The Steel Pan
On the subject of "pan tunes", one should be aware of some cultural history. In the days when steelbands were on the streets and determined the road march, most calypsonians composed pan friendly calypsos - "pan tunes" - to vie for the road march prize. The modern (post World War II ) calypso era came … Continue reading On the subject of “pan tunes”
It began in the 1950's, when a foreign tune called "The Happy Wanderer " won the road march in Trinidad.Instead of using the opportunity to inspire our artists to work harder at being competitive, in response we banned foreign competition for the Road March.Over the years , whenever our artists were challenged by foreigners , … Continue reading Its All About the Music !
It may be difficult to convey to those not of that era the special connection we had with our local steel-bands , back in the days before electronic noise overpowered the sweet sounds of steel-bands at carnival. Before big trucks and DJs , the sweetest sound at carnival was the sound of a steel-band "coming … Continue reading Steelband coming down !
Whenever we discuss the future of the steelband, we keep hearing these tired old arguments about "changing times" and "old school", and "pushing pans" which have nothing to do with my ideas when I speak of modern steelbands participation in carnival beyond panorama My entire argument is simple. The steelband , even after all these … Continue reading Trinidad’s Carnival culture and the role of the Steelband.
The inescapable fact is that the steelbands of T&T and its representative organization Pan Trinbago have no choice but to find alternative sources of income besides dependence on government subsidies. Looking objectively at Pan Trinbago's main event the Panorama , we can see that there is no way it can be cost-effective , when we … Continue reading Steelbands of Trinidad and Tobago , Pan Trinbago , and money
What can the future hold for the steelbands of Trinidad and Tobago? Where do we go from here? Where we go from here depends on what options we think are available for the Steelband, and most of us are inside a"pan bubble", so we see "through a glass darkly " as the Bible says. For … Continue reading Where does the steelband go from here?
One of my biggest disagreements with pan people , is based on different perceptions of the art-form , and its role in culture and society. From the beginning , some has seen the steel-pan and everything related to it , including the players, as commodities to be developed, with the idea of exporting them to … Continue reading Making T&T the true Mecca for the steel pan and its art-form
Ok my friends , I would like to take a moment for clarification, and to share my thoughts about panorama as it relates to Steelband progress. I love panorama , have loved it from the beginning , and even participated as a player in the early years. But over my lifetime , I’ve seen panorama … Continue reading Some thoughts on Panorama and Steelband Progress in T&T
G R JOSEPH 