SMARTS Steel Band, Grades 4-12
Description
SMARTS Steel Band, Grades 4-12 (Daniel Shiller)
Originating in Trinidad and Tobago, the steelpan was born from musicians playing instruments such as bamboo, biscuit tins, dustbins, and oil drums. While beating the oil drum, the musicians began to cause dents in the metal. Finding the dents, they created had different pitches, they started to dent the oil drums on purpose, and these dents allowed them to play melodies. The steelpan, or steel drum, is handmade by a tuner, who hammers the steel into shape. Steelpans are not standardized and are created in different sizes such as bass pans, rhythm pans, and lead pans. These different sizes make up the steel band, giving it a range similar to an orchestra. Steel bands are made up of steelpans, playing everything from Calypso, Reggae, Motown, and even Classical music. Steel bands also consist of a percussion section called an engine room, which keeps the band moving by providing a rhythmic backbone. The engine room consists of drum set, congas, shakers, scratchers, cowbells, and the iron. This class will further explore more advanced steelpan and percussion techniques. Students can expect to gain experience on a variety of both pitched and non-pitched percussion. Students should already have a basic understanding of music and rhythm reading before enrolling in the course.
Tuesdays @ 5:00 -5:45pm
Sept 17, 24
Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Nov 5, 12
SMARTS Family Dinner Nov 20
