While looking up info on pan layouts and purchase, I came across Definite Pitch. I was quite interested in Ansel Joseph's Pan Notes, which amount to his account of the evolution of pan and steelband. I found them quite compelling and logical. I could be completely wrong in adopting any of the knowledge he presents, but I somehow find his perspective credible. Thoughts? If nothing else, I hope you enjoy what he's written. I would have expected a history lesson like this in a classroom, not on an e-commerce website. I'm impressed.
Replies
Whatever happen to COREY MORGAN?
I went back and read the entire evolution and you're both correct Robert and Corey , and the writer is wrong.
He is the one who must have confused the indigenous inhabitants with the East Indians who came later as indentured laborers after slavery was abolished.
My bad.
That's what happens when you don't take the time to get all the information before spouting off .
I stand corrected, and I hope the author does the same.
Hello Glenroy, Corey and Robert,
Thank you for the corrections. The website will reflect this information. You are exactly right. Websites do not always get posted exactly as intended when one does not handle ones own website. Thanks for the corrections!
A. Joseph
Very informative piece of scholarship. However, in the "Evolution", the author stated that the African slaves were imported to replace the Indians, and I believe that it got it incorrectly. The African slaves came first, and after 1838 - Emancipation and the subsequent Apprenticeship period of 4 years - Indians and Chinese workers were brought in to replace the African slaves who were moving away from the plantation.
You're wrong, Robert.
Amerindians - Carib and Arawak (Taino) Indians were the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean, including Trinidad, and THEY were replaced by African slaves, after they were virtually exterminated by the Spaniards, though many of us, yours truly included, still carry some their (Carib) blood.
Glenroy,
This is the same thing that our prof. told us in our studies on Religion last Monday. The nice people slaughtered, he did not use that awful word, that is my choice, the people that were there first, then they brought over the African slaves to replace them. Some of them died from whatever diseases the Europeans carried. The rest would have been disposed of easily.
Robert is referring to the arrival of people from India preceding the arrival of Africans being inaccurate.
I agree with you, Corey.
Even though names are mentioned, the author tended to focus less on personalities and more on key events that occurred in the development of the instruments.
Sometimes we on this forum tend to get too bogged down in personalities, focusing too much on the who did what, and when, instead of what was actually done, and how and why it was done.
This is not to discount the importance of the historical record, it's just that our focus is sometimes misplaced when we place too much emphasis on individual accomplishments.
Corey, Thank you for thaking the time to read, understand and get the true sense of the meaning of the piece. It is truly my life experience. I got all this from living in the shadows of the pioneers. I got my adult training and experience from Ellie Mannette in the 60's when I became a member of the Shell Invaders, Woodbrook, formerly Oval Boys, a year after the double seconds and double guitars were introduced for the first time by a steel band made mobile by stands with wheels. During this time I was exposed to the modern tuning techniques of Ellie Mannette who is today responsible for me being able to make a living as a pan tuner. Thanks again. I never expected to see this posted on When Steel Talks! Nice that someone with enough insight chose to do so. A. Joseph
The honour is mine. I've heard the stories, but not quite told the way you detailed. It aroused my attention and interest.
It seems to me that if you have time to recount some more of your stories and memories, you could likely fill in some gaps in the history of pan. It would be a treasure! Even if your knowledge is the same as another person's, I was compelled by your expressions as I read your Pan Notes.
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next