This is a quote from the first female Pan Tuner.
Emily L. - “When I join up with a Panorama band, I offer to play whatever instrument the band needs. The first Trinidad band I played with was in 2009 with Invaders - founded by Ellie Mannette, and the oldest existing steelband in the world. They asked me to play four-cello, which I’d never played before, but had fun learning. That year, Invaders didn’t get through to Finals, so I joined up with Silver Stars on quadros for “First in de Line.” Even though I play quads here in Austin, the layout is twisted, so that was also a challenge!
“It was great fun learning two Panorama tunes in one season on unfamiliar pans. Now, I prefer to play instruments that I don’t often see over the rest of the year here in the US. So, in addition to four-cello with Invaders, I’ve performed on (twisted!) quadros with Silver Stars, CSO in London, and Crossfire in NYC. I’ve played nine-bass with Power Stars, and (twisted!) double seconds with Skiffle.
Is it possible for the whole BIG5 to tour as one group using one set of instruments or each band carry their own instruments because of the lay out of notes and different playing position of Pans.
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I am IMAGINING a BIG 5 "NEW YORK" CONCERT!!! Three BIG 5 BANDS and 2 NEW YORK BANDS. Claude if your imagination comes true as stated in an earlier post would the 3 of 5 BIG5 bands prefer to travel with their own instruments or one set of instruments to be used by all 3 bands or they should think E PANS as u suggested.
They will HAVE TO use their own instruments -- that is the OLD CULTURE. The E-PAN discussion is a different discussion; and that is for small groups. You can't GO COMMERCIAL with 200 PLAYERS on the stage.
At this point I am wondering why the NEW YORK people have not formed their own GLOBAL ORGANIZATION. They have a big advantage just like THE BRITS their advantage.to great benefit..
IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THE "BIG FIVE" STEELPAN CONCERT" WILL REMAIN A"LOCAL BUT VIBRANT CONCERT." THE ORGANIZATION SHOULD START WORK ON AN "INTERNATIONAL CONCERT" WITH INPUT FROM GOVERNMENTS, EXAMPLE: FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO TO THE GOVT.OF" XYZ "THEY SHOULD EXPLOIT THE NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION "INTERNATIONAL STEELPAN FOUNDATION.".AS A BARGAINING CHIP TO THE FULLEST ......... THE HOST COUNTRY OR CITY SHOULD HAVE A STEELPAN INPUT ON THE PROGRAM ..ITS AN IDEA.
Knolly: YUH ON THE RIGHT ROAD!!! Expand on your good idea and then go on their FACEBOOK PAGE and send them your prescription. They should have had a WEBSITE up by now where people could go and interact with a FRONT OFFICE. There is a big danger that we could end up with a NATIONAL STEELBAND FOUNDATION.
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Standardization is important if you want others to play your instrument. Equally important is to have your instrument designed to fit your needs.
Earl: The BIG 5 CONCERT is over. The EUPHORIA and IRRATIONAL EXUBERANCE has evaporated!!! So let us get down to BRASS TACKS NOW. The BIG 5 (meaning ALL 5 BANDS) will never do a COMBINED TOUR. Even going to TOBAGO will be TOO EXPENSIVE!!!
Just think about it.
And think E-PANS!!!