Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Bottle and spoon, grater, scratchers and wood blocks are essentials when paranderos go paranging. Contemporary bands have incorporated the flute, electric bass, Latin percussions and the steelpan in its ensemble. Now, the National Parang Association of Trinidad and Tobago (NPATT) is incorporating the steepan as the main instrument in its competitions.
Michael Lezama, public relations officer of the NPATT, said they are officially experimenting with the steelpan alongside parang instruments for the instrumental leg of the competition. The competition took place at Arima Tennis Court, Railway Road, Arima yesterday. The experiment was in keeping with a new approach to marketing parang.
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Thank God the Steel Pan is eventually incorporated as a lead instrument in the Parang competition. This was a matter of time for the NPATT to face the reality. When I was involved in the Parang, the word "authenticity" was also used and came up as argumentative topic. I said to the then NPATT committe, the present PRO Michael Lezana and others involved in Parang that Parang is a T&T ting. The Steel Pan can be used as a lead instrument in competitions. My reason is, I lived in Venezuela for many years, studied and reach as far as Musical Director for band name CUMACO. The Parang here have a Trini feel to it and its not "authentic". Other bands eg: Lara Borthers visited Venezuela, it was not accepted as "Authentic Parang", but Parang with a Trini flavour. Additionally, Los Alumnos de San Juan a band I also worked for and are presently defending champs use the Steel Pan as an Lead Instrument. Blessings to the great move.
Kenneth Clarke
Professor in Percussion Performance & Multi-Percussionist
I'm a Pan fanatic, however I think that parang would lose it's authenticity if too many other instruments are incorporated. The guitar and quatro a flute and bass are all that's really needed in true parang.
TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU, SHERWIN!!!!
Agreed. For perspective: could you imagine the outrage if the tassa drum was proclaimed the main instrument of the steelband rhythm section...
Yes Noah!!! Some people could only see the world from ONE PERSPECTIVE!!! Dey done blacken PARANG with songs like AH WANT AH PIECE AH PORK ... no end to it,
Yep, those words "main instrument" is problematic.