Originally invented
in Trinidad and Tobago, the instrument is made from
a 55-gallon oil drum. The top of the oil drum is cut
off and the bottom is hammered down and then little
sections on the bottom are made for playing. Each
section is in turn hammered up making the metal tighter
until it takes on a pitch. Small sticks wrapped with
rubber are used for playing while the steel pan is
hung from a stand. This particular version is tuned
to a F major pentatonic scale and custom made in Germany by
ECS.
Handpan
The Handpan is a steel drum played by the bare hands. I have two made by Symphonic Steel. The middle one is a G Russian Major tuning = G, B, C, D, F#, G, B, C, D, E.
The bottom one is lower in a C Golden Gate tuning (Lydian) = C, E, G, B, C, D, F#, G.
