Name: Trinidad and Tobagos new generation embraces the sound of the steelpan
Uploaded: 2025-12-10T01:22:11.354Z
Duration: 2 min 20 s
Description: The steelpan - a percussion instrument created in Trinidad and Tobago in 1939 - is making a comeback as a new generation embraces its vibrant sound. Fans of the pan say new technology has made the instrument more accessible and affordable, with more schools introducing it to students.

The steelpan - a percussion instrument created in Trinidad and Tobago in 1939 - is making a comeback as a new generation embraces its vibrant sound. Fans of the pan say new technology has made the instrument more accessible and affordable, with more schools introducing it to students.

Tobago

The steel pan, Trinidad and Tobago's national instrument invented in 1939, is experiencing a resurgence in popularity among the country's youth. Advances in production, such as those at the company Panland, have made it easier and faster to manufacture steel pans, contributing to this renewed interest.

Young people are drawn to the instrument's unique sound and versatility across musical genres, with many starting lessons at an early age. The steel pan has also gained formal recognition from the government, including a place on the national flag and the establishment of World Steel Pan Day on 11 August.

Trinidad and Tobago's new generation embraces the sound of the steelpan

This is the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago, the steel pan. Invented almost a century ago in 1939, the instrument is currently seeing its popularity surge unexpectedly. A whole new generation of citizens of the island are learning to become panists. One reason for the boom of the steel pan, it is now easier to produce. In the past, steel pan makers had to wait for drums to be discarded, but at the local company Panland, workers are now making the instrument in a day, with the help of tools, a powerful flamethrower and mobile apps. The young generation is also seduced by the sounds and the wide variety of musical genres that are possible to play on the steel pan. Students can also learn to play from a very early age onwards. So I would say it's been a lovely experience. Pan is an outer body experience, that's the best way I can describe it. You know, pan is like the one instrument where you don't just hear the pan, or play the pan, you feel the music in your body. The instrument was also more recently formally recognised by the government of Trinidad and Tobago. It replaced three ships on its national flag. And there is also a World Steel Pan Day, celebrated on 11th August.

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