At the moment the Trinidad and Tobago National Steel Symphony Orchestra (TTNSSO) is the only band in the country that use them exclusively. The TTNSSO has had limited public exposure so the population at large cannot form an opinion on the value of the G-Pan. There are two issues I will like to address about this ‘new’ instrument, the G-Pan. It has nothing to do with the instrument itself, it has more to do with matters surrounding this ‘invention’. One is about ‘Awards’ and the other is about ‘Tests’. There is absolutely nothing wrong in giving awards to persons for work they may have done on a project. When I heard that a scientist was in receipt of such an award for being the “Inventor” of the G-Pan, I thought that there was a mistake. Opinion Piece by Nestor Sullivan Click for full story

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  • I totally Agree with Mr. Sullivan on all areas of his arguments. I'm not of Trinidadian Nationality but i also pondered on this topic because i found it rather strange or, in other words, unfair to the rest of the pan fraternity when it comes to a competitive level. On the other hand, I've been trying to see or even hear these instruments, because as i said early i'm not from trinidad, and i can't seem to get any view of what it is like so is this just a trinidad based instrument or is it opened to the pan world?
  • I can't believe some of the comments I am reading on this. Why are so many people against development? The pan is development. The creators of the G-Pan are simply continuing down the trails blazed by people like Ellie Mannette, Bertie Marshall, and Anthony Williams. Those men took nothing and created something, and now we have to take that something and make it something more.

    Just because people are using the knowledge of science and metallurgy to develop steelpans doesn't mean they aren't developing steelpans. As a young builder and tuner, I completely agree that the actual builders and tuners deserve a lot of credit for what they did. As a young engineer, I fully support that the "scientists" should get the credit they deserve for figuring out how to improve this incredible instrument. Also just because somebody is a scientist, does not mean that they are unaware of the culture of pan. I would be willing to bet that they at least know how to spell Ellie's name correctly, unlike some of the "pan people" that have commented here.

    As Randisc said, "create from scratch an instrument which could easily lend itself to mas production, universal tonal quality and because of its scientific origins in metallurgy a uniform design and layout could be achieved." That is exactly what this instrument is about. The pan will not, and cannot, become accepted worldwide as a legitimate instrument until it has some type of uniformity. The mindset of many people outside the pan community of this instrument is that it is a banged up garbage can. This is what the G-Pan is getting away from. With these steps towards standardizing the starting material the pan can stop being just a banged up garbage can and start being an instrument in everybody's eyes.

    I do believe that some pans will always be completely built by hand from oil barrels, and I think that's how it should be. At the same time though, I don't think all pans will always be made in the traditional manner. Completely hand made instruments are not feasible if the instrument is going to grow. Eventually processes, layouts and, most importantly, materials need to become standardized to a certain extent. There is always some room for innovation among instrument builders, but the main concepts will eventually need to be standardized. The G-Pan has taken those first steps and is going to make an impact on pans of the future no matter how many people complain about scientists being involved.

    I agree with Randisc - It's time to move on. Never forget where this instrument came from, but live in the present and for the future.

    As far as giving select bands G-Pans for "testing" in Panorama. I feel that is unfair. I agree that if a band wants to try them, it should be on their initiative. This way, natural selection will continue to happen and the pan and steelband can continue to evolve.

    Matt Potts
    • Matt is the G-pan really something new? Or is nothing more than the fruits of the research and experiments that were conducted under the Eric Williams administration.
  • who are the five
    • Danielle,
      I wrote a book entilied, "400 Questions and Answers on Pan from 1960 to the Present." I coined the phrase "Fab Five" which are: All Stars, Desperadoes, Exodus, Phase II and Renegades.
      Thanks, and why you do not show your face? (smiles)
      Ian
  • I heard about the offer to the "fab 5, " Silver Stars was not included. I was not aware that the bands were offered all the voices of the G-Pan; I thought that it was only one voicing. If my assumptiom is correct, then the fab 5 would not have a Panorama advantage over the other "Fabulous Steel Orchestras." As far as an award to an "inventor," who exactly are we talking about.
  • I have heard the TTNSSO band on many ocasions on each concerts they only played classical music I am not impress with the sound of the G-Pans (compare with conventional bands) On Wednesday 25th November 2009 at the People's Space at the savanah Boogsie open for the TTNSSO band Boogsie played on the G-Pans double seconds the Melody, Tuned and Sound of the G-Pan are inferior to the sounds of Boogsie Originals double seconds. The G-Pans are overblown the conventional pans are much sweeter.

    This G-Pan thing is a PNM Government propoganda wake up PANTRINBAGO. We need someone like Nestor to lead PANTRINBAGO. Pan People in T & T the next time around elect Nestor Sullivan to lead the organization.

    In a Panorama competition them yard boys tuners would lick up the G-Pans.
    • I totally agree with you Terry, I have heard the TTNSSO play on two occasions and even tho it was only classical music I was not impressed either. I found the tonal quality to be bit "dull" not as sharp as the sound of the conventional bands that use the 50gal drums. I know we have to find an alternative to the old 50 gal drum, and I say kudos to everyone connected with the G-Pan but I trust that it is a work in progress and we will see some improvement in tonal quality soon as has happened over the years between the 1940s to the present.
  • Hail All. While I know it is our responsibility as Panpeople to hold ones accountable, what are Birch{Butch} and Roland saying? Both of them as Panpeople-Tuners-have a responsibility to object and or report any actual or perceived Bobol in this matter. Did Mr Sullivan speak with them? But still, I agree that the process or lack of it is skewed. Power to the People- the Pan People.
    One Love Ras RicoI SELASSIE I.
  • I agree with you profoundly, how can a scientist who may or may not know about our culture, the struggle Eli Mannette, Rudolph Charles and all the other people who fought to get the steel pan recognised worldwide be accredited for such a marvellous invention.The steel pan plays any type of music an has grown throughout the world, we as a nation must value what we produced, patent the different types of pan, have it legalise an anyone worldwide must pay to learn an even teach it anywhere in the world, but we must take charge an stop treating our national pride as though its a vagrant.

    Too many people in our country can play it, but cant teach it. Let our instrument be a permanent course offered by the performing arts centre, have reputable individuals teach it to our citizens and the world. They must learn to read produce the steelpan an help some of our citzens do something other than just engage in criminal activities.
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