The Longevity Of The Steel Drum/Pan by George D. Goddard, B.A.
Cosmetic Surgery: If pan was a human body, there are many who believe that "Nature" (God) made mistakes, and made something that was imperfect, and needing perfection. So, like the human body receives plastic surgery, the pan, according to some, is also in need of face-lifts, tummy-tucks, breast implants, "Brazilian" butt-lifts, liposuction, laser hair removal and skin treatment, so she can be "more" beautiful, slimmer, lighter, younger, and perfect,. ALL because man is never satisfied with what "Nature" (God) gave him. Again, like the Mona Lisa, the steel drum/pan is "perfect in its alleged imperfections", and just as valuable. And like Mona and her "imperfect" smile, our "Singing Drum" will also become more valuable over time. That's the BEAUTY of Art! Ageless; like "Nature" (God) who created it! There is as much "art" in the making of a steelpan, as in the playing of it. The makers of the instrument, are also a part of Nature's (God's) collection of artists. George D Goddard (Jabari Baruti Osaze), on The Longevity Of The Steel Drum/Pan.
Ghost.
Replies
Why is it that when some people's points need sharpening, they just roll on to a different point? Anyway, I have a question: If synthesizers are so "perfectly" tuned, why do people still pay to tune baby grands? Why not opt for an instrument that needs no tuning and will not be threatened by termites, like a Korg workstation? Finally, I never claimed to know everything about anything. What I do know, is the difference between credible sources and secondary sources. I know where to look for the answers, and I am aware that every history has various "versions". I chose to believe the credible (primary) sources, and I ALWAYS cite them. Some may choose to believe that Spree Simon invented pan; I choose to do the research, and I am blessed that my dad's book is an excellent starting point. Kim Johnson knows that. Chief Diaz knows that. Dr. Hollis Liverpool knows that. Angela Smith knows that. Hopefully, one day, the rest of you will come to know that. It really does not matter to me, because the really credible historians in Trinidad and Tobago all know the value of the contents within Forty Years In The Steelbands, 1939-1979 by George "Sonny" Goddard.Please do not expect me to "dumb down" in order to "fit in". I share what I know, and whether or not one chooses to accept my sharing with the good intent in which it is always sent, is NOT my problem. I will continue to do what I do and say what I say, and no childish pokes will deter me from doing those things. THAT I KNOW! Ghost.
Thinking about longevity and facelifts, and perfecting... I'm gonna jump in and say CHROMING an innovation that most contributed to both aspects!
Thanks to chroming and other crafting improvements, beautiful pans with invisible hammer marks breathe long life into them. For sure they are more rust-resistant, possibly hold tuning better with more uniform surface, and light up the stage with sights and sounds!
Our first pans in my town were all hand painted, no chrome. They were not as stretched as deep, and you could see so many hammer-strikes on the surface, it felt odd to tell a spectator "Don't touch... it's very delicate!"
Our Master Pan Makers and Tuners are amazing!
EDIT: Claude, I know you are probably laughing when you read this. My thought is after science of note placement and chroming were added to the steelpan as it was known before, when these things were added, it was still a pan, right? Still crafted with the same barrels, tools, fire and masters?
Can you imagine what a good maker and tuner would run you in (say) 100 years from now? Do you think that is why so many foreigners are studying under Ellie Manette, and not working on any plastic replicas? Pan-making and tuning is an ART, one we may take for granted. What did Merchant say we "mite wake up one day" hearing?
Ghost Who Sees The Plot!!! (Mad, cause they can fool everybody, all of the time. smh.)
Ghost: You have the whole history of the instrument in your hands, so you will document it and make sure that nobody ever has to wake up one day and read that steelband come from the UNITED KINGDOM. On that subject I think that you should post A SHORT HISTORY OF THE STEELBAND on this forum for the readers.
Every time I try to get a bead on the history I see so many conflicting stories, I don't know who to believe. Straighten it out for everybody.
In other words, "STOP THE CRYING AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!!!!!!"
There is a HUGE difference between applying (non-invasive) make-up, and undergoing invasive cosmetic surgery. Actually, many are of the opinion to get rid of the human body altogether, and replace it with a plastic, computerized robot. I'm sure that there are plastic toys that satisfy some, especially when the real thing old and rusty, but as someone rightly quoted Marvin Gaye: AIN'T NOTHING LIKE THE REAL THING, BABY!
Ghost Who Knows The More They Spin, The Tighter The Self-Entangling Web They Weave.☺
George,
Wey yuh been boi? the pan evolve, we now have some electronic things that look like a pan and sound just like a pan, as ah matter of fact they sound even better than ah pan because sometimes yuh could hear organ, vibes, sax, crystal boi they made Bertie harmonics look elementary. They have another thing called The Digital Pan that people can download for free if they have one ah dem smart phone, yuh doh need ah pan to play steelpan music these days, they say all they need is the pan sound and they got it. As they say all good things come to an end, the pan traveled the same road the Dinosaur did. If yuh take ah walk around the savannah yuh could see some Despers ole bass, they put plants in them these days, they use Renegades pan to collect garbage round by the old market and all over T&T they found similar use for the pan. All the old boys like mehself in ah deep depression these days. Anyhow glad to have you back.
Cecil, like time passing you, You asking bout George, you miss his last post.
Panorama Is The Bride Of Carnival. Why Try (To) Separate Them?
Bede, it's ment to be ah LOL. a scarcastic one about "what they Say"
No more COSMETICS on the pan, Cecil. Let us go back to using the PANS that TASPO took to England in 1951. All that spider web and fourths/fifths and chroming and G-PAN is just too much continuing surgery on the instrument.
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