Can they Play The National Instrument?

[Michael Kernahan]

Are there any Trinidad and Tobago members of Government or Opposition past or present  can play Pan or ever played?

[Glenroy R Joseph]

Why did you chuckle at the term "Steel Orchestra" Ian?

I've always felt that once the steelband  had the musical range of an orchestra, and we had pans that could substitute  for just about every instrument in an orchestra, even a symphony orchestra, then the steelbands became orchestras.

Don't you agree?

 

[aldwyn jones]

I know Patos personaly  as a friend.  we goew up together

he cannot pley too sh.........he is and was always a nerd a bright one

all he played was some cricket.  Pan ? are you srazy ?

[Ian Franklin]

Hello Mike,

                  Good Question! Dr. Eric Williams did not play, but chipped in a steelband from THE WEST in the early 60's. He and two other Government officials should be given credit. Remember it was Dr. Williams who is mostly responsible for getting Sponsors involved in Steelbands. Today we have Steel Orchestras(lol)

I am now in Laventille (lol)

[Glenroy R Joseph]

This is a very good question.

However, an even better question would be, have they ever been involved in steelband culture?

It is quite possible to tinker with a chromed pan in one's living room, and yet to know little about the steelband and its people.

On the other hand there are pan people who've never touched a pan ( some may assist a steelband or even "beat a lil iron")  but understand and appreciate every aspect of the steelband , its needs, and its culture.

I think it may  be more productive for the steelband if more of THOSE types were in government.

[Salah Wilson]

Yep bro Ghost ..a ghostly point about the culture and economic facture ..so true

Imagine our Prime Minister  now going to China on a state visit and the same Chinese President's wife who was given a Pan ..re-introduces our PM to the Pan and then she played the T&T anthem and the Chinese anthem and then ask our PM  to play something LOL. ..anyways it is just hypothetical thoughts ...good day everyone

[Pan'tum - The Ghost Who Talks]

I like the question, Big Mike. It would be "nice" (and kine ah "patriotic") if they at least learn to play our National Anthem. It's not that difficult of a melody for even the most tone-deaf novice. lol. I'm not sure if that really matters though; it would be MUCH better if we appointed panmen and panwomen at ALL our consulates overseas (like the Marines at embassies, lol). Yo Salah, you are on point! What a "ghostly" idea! lol. I wonder where we've seen the "culture v economic factor" argument before? Hmm... So, while we continue to "share culture", I await with baited breath to see Chinese pans in Wal-Mart for...(get this); $149.99!

What did Merchant sing? ♫Or we mite wake up one day...an hear dat steelban' came from in de United Kindom ♫ Sweden don' start a'ready buil'in' up pan factory ♫ to MANUFACTURE we own CULTURE ♫

Ghost - Who Love De "Ole Time Songs". MESSAGE!

Honoring the Legacy of George "Sonny" Goddard. (An if yuh doh know who is is or what he did, yuh better ask somebody.) lol.

Fantastic Friday To ALL! (In Honor of Keathe George. SHERO!)

[Salah Wilson]

I think that there is a  point Michael Kernahan is trying to present.

We have seen over the years the many photo-ops and gifts that we have given to the heads of states

President of USA (Barack Obama), Prime Minister of Australia, Vice President of USA (Joe Biden), and recently the wife of the President of China.

Very significant gestures that the true representation of Trinidad & Tobago at this level is ....the Pan

Unfortunately ( as mentioned on this Forum) it is only seen as Culture ... when it should also be looked upon as GOOD BUSINESS and be placed on the Economic table for discussions amongst these same heads of state ...But our government does not understand or sees the Pan in this way as a vibrant economic factor.

Let's assume that this Chinese President wife is also a musician and she falls in Love with this pan ( I understand that they have invited Exodus to come to China). If she starts playing Pan these Chinese are going to invest into the manufacture of this instrument and mass produce after all every other musical instrument in the world is now mass produced by China ....So the Chinese government will not look at the Pan as Culture but an ECONOMIC FACTOR ..... We need a Ministry exclusively for the Pan in Trinidad & Tobago

Salah

[Kim Johnson]

And of course there is Junior Regrello

[Kim Johnson]

Patrick Manning used to play pan when he was a student in Mona.

[Gerry Kangalee]

Off the top of my head : Bertie Fraser and Eddie H

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