“...Now this project was always bigger than pan. We viewed it as a pilot project for showing the nation how to innovate. We feel, that we have to be ready for when that oil money is done and the way to do it is to have a higher/stronger culture of innovation in our people...” Brian Copeland.
Meet Dr. Brian Copeland. His father is the well-known veteran mas band leader Mack Copeland. He is soft-spoken, humorous, cerebral, forward-thinking, thoughtful and extremely patriotic - maybe to a fault. He is indeed a son of the soil who is always thinking of Trinidad and Tobago first. However, in the last couple of years Dr. Copeland has been on a journey that has taken him from revered, awarded national hero - to accusations of improprieties for the very inventions that he was awarded for.
An exclusive When Steel Talks video interview with Dr. Brian Copeland, the inventor of the G-pan. After a turbulent couple of years, here is his story in his own words.
click to watch video
Replies
I believe that Dr Copeland is a blessing to the movement and history of Steelpan development and promo of TnT.
I was so impressed by his work and dedication even with his primary vocation and responsibility. The intricasies and mechanics I'm not familiar with so I sent the discussion to my brother in Trinidad who was in North Stars with Tony Williams during their hey days.
His demeanor reminded me of his dad Lindsay "Mack" and his uncles Raddie and Percy who started me playing Wild Indians in '49 when I was 4. They were the original Black Indians that morphed into "Red" through the '50s.
Thank you for the education
Wayne Cezair you could not have said it any better! Claude's four man PHI will be seen, heard but will not be appreciated as much as acoustical pan, where people are simply amazed by what they are hearing from what is referred to as "cans, barrels,oil drums" etc vs what is expected from electronics.People keep saying no, but it always tends to come across as if this is the future of pan and the acoustical pan will be a thing of the past. The price of that certainly won't allow this,but it will find a place somewhere out there.
I for one do appreciate the scientific approach (and success) of the good doctor. And it's a rare thing to see such accomplishment accompanied by genuine humility. Thanks, Dr. Copeland.
Peter
We Know every thing is in place for PAN development finding The missing link is The challenge.
Titus: Who do you define as 'the fraternity?"
Mind you there is no agenda here or I should say my only agenda is the development of pan as a mainstream instrument ,just as the guitar.
What ever problems that exists,it shouldn't be a deterrent to interrupt its intended goal.
We can create many separate avenues to tackle many challenges at the same time,that's why in this industry as in others ,we have to educate others such as Lawyers,economists,accountants and other professionals that specialize in pan and and it's development not only locally but globally.
I am not interested in the small fight,leave it to the professionals with the background in specific specialty to handle a specific challenge.
Yes the pan Fraternity must have the foresight to see the big picture for the benefit of all.
Well done WST, Dr Copeland is too humble in his assertion that the government is still growing, after 40 years of independence he needs to listen to Singing Sandra “On Reaching Fifty”http://youtu.be/2rtcPNuy1ww @ 49:20, he has to be careful in using the reference to “third world country” and “simple minded” the terms may come back to haunt him, I admire his honesty.
Ellie Mannette found this out many years before him when he offered the government at the time his vision on the steel drum’s potential, they totally ignored him and he was treated as a traitor “selling we culture.” Andy Narell’s father offered him an opportunity to share his vision; the results and its impact can be seen far and wide across the US.
Correction 51 years of independence.
odw: I am glad that you brought that point up. I have not heard anyone use the term "third world" in a very long time, But the context in which it was used was SPOT ON and reminded me of how many other areas in which we have division of thought based on people NOT KNOWING and THINKING THAT THEY KNOW,
I wrote a paper on the development of pan way back in 1983 and am glad to see that many of the suggestions that I had proposed are now being implemented.
What I would like to see though together with lesson plans on the history of pan ,includes the economics of pan,pan psychology, and others that includes down stream industries that benefits pan and it's related industries.
There are soo many benefits that I am convinced can be achieved from this industry but is being overlooked.
Don't want to get into the politics of pan but that in itself must also be part of the cirriculum, the pan fraternity must take charge create a lobby for the continued development of pan,and use the market, market,market.
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