I agree Calypso will
always have its place in Carnival. Another influential type of music famous at Carnival
time is that of the steelpan. Steelband
music is a sound that has become synonymous with tropical island vacations and
Caribbean holidays. Some classify it as the National instrument of T&T.
The steelpan was invented in Trinidad and Tobago in the early 1940’s and is
widely regarded as the only major musical instrument to be invented in the 20th
century.
Several innovators throughout steel pan history have made
significant contributions to the development of the instrument such as Winston ‘Spree’ Simon, Ellie Mannette,
Anthony Williams and Bertie Marshall.
Steelpan music and techniques are now taught at several major
universities internationally and it is confirmed that India has pledged to support the University
of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) in promoting the instrument.
My
question is do you think enough is being done to promote it? What can we do to
promote it and how does it play a part in the Tourism Sector?
Actually no, I dont think enough is being done to promote it, I can not remember when last I heard anything about steel pan on the news when it was not carnival. The fact that it got its birth in Trinidad and Tobago is fantastic, but right now there is nothing much going on with it. At least to my knowledge. Steel pan should be thought in all schools so the youths can get an appreciation for our art form.
ReplyDeleteI think that there should be more pan competitions with a big grand prize for so lo players as well as teams and for the youths. This should happen at lest twice a year. This will definitely help in getting people to appreciate the art form even more. They will get a title that they will now have to try and defend and that will push people to want to do better to become the new best. Friendly competition.
ReplyDeleteI dont think it is just that simple to have competitions just like that. Remember they will have to organize a venue for it to be held at, food and drinks for the people that will be in attendance, also if there will be alcoholic drinks that will be present. Who is going to pay for all of this and how much is the grand prize that will be won for the different categories?
ReplyDeleteTo be honest with you all I am not really a big fan of pan, but I do agree that it is important for persons to learn more about our culture. It dose make for beautiful music, but it still really is not for me.
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ReplyDeleteI think they are doing as much as they can with it right now. I also be leave that they are currently working on making electronic steel pans, much like how they have an electronic piano. There will be a lot of advantages to this once they start production.
ReplyDelete1. No pollution, there will be no need to make a fire to heat the drum to make the pan.
2. It will be very easy to transport.
3. The user will be able to record his/her songs
4. The electronic pan will be able to help teach the user how to play cretin songs.
To add to what everyone is say, I think that a lot more needs to be done to promote Steelpan other than having Panorama competitions at Carnival time, Pan in the 21st Century, Pan Jazz in de Yard, The World Steelband Music Festival and Pan Ramajay.
ReplyDeleteWe can't only depend on the people who play it to promote it events which they perform.
A lot more intervention, education and promotion needs to be done.
Making it a Secondary and Tertiary Level School subject and having the people like "Len Boogsie Sharpe" teach it will initiate things we my not imagine. Then we can monitor it to see how it develops and take it from there
In my view, "Education is the Key" to preserving this art form.
Opps... I forgot to mentioned that it will play a major part in the Tourism Sector in terms of helping the economy grow through sales (Exporting), creating Employment which in turn lead to having Local Concerts for the steelpan professional who can then take it globally.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to the latter, using travel sites and having them include it the package will help with it's exposure to the foreign markets
Another good tool that can be used is a "Tagline". I think this with branding. Also, use of proper marketing strategies we can go a long way which can only happen if employ the Marketing Professionals.