Steel Band Terms

A ballroom dance and musical style from Cuba developed in the 1930’s by Cachao and popularized by Perez Prado.

a note value that receives 4 beats in 4/4 time

A section of the steel band that consists of non-pitched percussion instruments.

A musical style derived from rhythm and blues and soul

describes the sound of feet on pavement marching in time to the music during carnival in Trinidad

the act of spontaneously composing music during a performance

the speed at which a piece of music is performed

soft

producing a sustained sound on the steel pan using a rapid succession of strokes

lowers the pitch of a note by one half step

the absence of a sounding note or notes; a specified duration of silence

the expression of volume in music

An annual event held in Trinidad which is known for its colorful costumes and energetic music

A musical style that originated in Jamaica in the 1960’s and was popularized primarily by Bob Marley.

the convex portion of the pan where the playing areas are located

additional line added above or below the staff

A style of accompaniment comprised of a group of notes in a repeating rhythm pattern.

medium loud

a note value that receives a ¼ beat in 4/4 time

vertical lines that divide the staff into measures or bars

the capitol of Trinidad

An island off the coast of Venezuela where the steel pan was invented and developed.

rhythms which occur off the beat

a symbol placed before a note which alters the pitch

a symbol that indicates the placement of notes on the staff typically used for low pitched instruments

a numerical figure at the beginning of a composition that defines the meter of the piece

A barrel shaped Afro-Cuban drum used in the engine room of a steel band.

loud

An engine room instrument that is typically a recycled brake drum from a car.

The side of the steel drum barrel which is cut to different lengths depending on the type of pan.

a note value that receives 1 beat in 4/4 time

a sequence of notes that begins and ends on the fundamental note of the tonality or mode

a note value that receives 2 beats in 4/4 time

gradually get louder

A Brazilian style of music pioneered by Antonio Carlos Jobim that is derived from the samba

a note value that receives a ½ beat in 4/4 time

A form of popular song in Trinidad typically composed of lyrics which contain some type of social commentary.

An ensemble that predated the steel band which used bamboo cut to various lengths as rhythm instruments.

A ballroom dance and musical style from Cuba whose name is derived from shuffling of the dancers feet

An ensemble that predated the steel band which used various types of metal instruments

the sounding of the notes of a chord in succession rather than simultaneously

medium soft

the quality or character of the sound being produced

The nationwide steel band competition in Trinidad. It is usually held the weekend before Carnival.

cancels a sharp or flat throughout the measure

a group of sharps or flats placed at the beginning of a composition that defines the key center of the piece

a system for music notation using 5 lines and 4 spaces

raises the pitch of a note by one half step

A style of popular music in Trinidad combining elements of Soul and Calypso.

a symbol that indicates the placement of notes on the staff typically used for high pitched instruments

The underlying rhythm or feel of the music; the feeling of steady pulse and rhythmic cohesion in a piece of music.

the emphasis of one note over another

A Brazilian style of music and dance that is commonly performed during Carnival

Playing the pan while hung from a strap around your neck

a metrical unit in notation; indicates the division of the staff into metrical units (of two, three, four beats, etc.)

gradually get softer

A small area of each note where the tuner has achieved the most focused sound.

an incomplete measure at the beginning of a piece of music

A classical piece of music that is arranged for steel band in the calypso or soca style.

The top edge of the pan which spans the circumference of the instrument.