The flat circular end of the drum is sunk concavely (like a bowl) and elliptical convex portions are raised in a predetermined pattern with specific dimensions. Each raised area is marked out by grooving around its periphery, which makes it easily identifiable and isolated from the rest of the playing surface of the instrument.

The drum skirt is cut to the desired length, the prepared playing surface is heat treated and the notes tuned to achieve predetermined pitches and tones which are reproduced when notes are struck with rubber tipped playing sticks.

The Principle The steelpan is a definite pitch instrument in the idiophone class. The size and shape of a note determines its pitch and tonal character. The larger the size, the lower the note. An instrument with many low notes will therefore require more than one drum to provide the playing area required to complete the instrument.

The length of the skirt is also varied for optimal tonal quality. The lower notes require a longer skirt.

Hence a Soprano instrument can contain 29 notes (C4 to E6) on a single drum with a 5 1/2 inch skirt, whilst a bass instrument can contain only 18 notes (Bb1 to Eb3) distributed on 6 drums, with full length 34 inch skirts (Refer to Product Specifications).

Playing Sticks The playing stick or mallet consists of a shaft of comfortable size, with rubber at one extremity. The shaft may be made of wood (or wood substitutes) or light metal. The rubber is normally a wrapped strip or a tubular section. Generally, the lower the note to be played, the thicker the rubber, and the longer the shaft used.

Performance A steelpan can be made to contain any combination of notes that the drum surface can accommodate.
A variety of voices have been developed that can be used for solo performances or in combination to form a steelband.

Instruments offered here range from small entry level type (mini range), that are tuned in diatonic or pentatonic scales, to the intermediate (mid size range) and mature (full size range) instruments that are generally chromatic and represent all voices.

General Specification For Conventional Instruments

• All drums have a 22 3/4 inch diameter playing surface
  
• All instruments are manufactured from imported specified steel (Discarded oil drums are not used)
  
• Paint or chrome finishes are available
  
• Standard paint colour consists of black skirt and silver playing surface
  
• Customised colours are available on request
  
• Each instrument is tuned to A440
  
• All instruments specifications listed are standard production items. All practical variations and arrangements of steelpans can be manufactured on request.
  
• Traditional steel pan (pan around neck) instruments must be specified by the customer with a layout.
  
• Each instrument is stamped with an identification number and carries a Certificate of Authenticity