Music Instruments

Basic Elements of the Sound of Trinidad & Tobago

Choose the instrument category, you would like to know more about. Each chapter covers different strings of history and includes sound examples and documentary segments. Scroll down for more information about the importance and diversity of music in Trinidad and Tobago.

Instruments of Trinidad & Tobago

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STEEL PAN

Renegades Steel Orchestra by Maria Nunes

Read about

STEEL PAN

here

PERCUSSION

Laventille Rhythm Section - Snapshot Pavement Lime

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DRUMS

here

BRASS

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BRASS

here

STRING INSTRUMENTS

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STRING

here

INDIA'S TREASURE

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INDIAS TREASURE

here

INSTRUMENTS IN PARANG

Read about

PARANG

here

DIVERSITY THROUGH SOUND

Without instruments, the music of today could not be possible, even though digital production can replace instrumentation in a lot of ways. Let me try to document on this page, which essential instruments are responsible for the „Trini-„sound over time.

Diverse as the island’s music, the instruments of Trinidad and Tobago reveal the islanders‘ ingenuity as well as influences from the eastern quarters of the globe. Music is the main drive on the island. Where ever you go, music will blast loud out of speakers, street musicians are not too common. Not too often you are getting the chance to see musicians perform without paying entrance fees.
Live music will be shared in several locations across the whole island, and sometimes pan groups or rhythm sections perform in a public or private manner. In the capital, Port of Spain, the Kaiso Blues Café is such a spot. As well you must search for finding these events. Pan Yards are offering the chance to listen to their rehearsals and practice. Often the yards invite for limes and even sell drinks on their (often sponsored) compounds. They are building hubs for the younger generation to come and be a part of their community.

STEEL PAN

The steelpan instrument fascinates the world with its unique melodic, tonal, and rhythmic qualities, and its sounds reverberate as the musical heartbeat of the cultural landscape of Trinidad and Tobago. The steel pan is nowadays a worldwide recognized and well-respected music instrument, which now enjoys high participation and popularity on the twin island.

Since then the popularity of the instrument has grown rapidly. It is used in live music performances, and as concert percussion worldwide, portrayed in a lot of art pieces of the Caribbean.

Pan is played using a pair of straight sticks tipped with rubber. The size and type of rubber tip vary according to the class of pan being played. Some musicians use even four pan sticks, holding two in each hand.

The pan can play all classical notes and is used in orchestral ensembles worldwide. There are also quite interesting workshops worldwide, where you can learn the tamboo bamboo, the forerunner of the steel pan.

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STRING INSTRUMENTS

By the 1930s, the singers in calypso tents in Trinidad were accompanied on stage by an ensemble using instruments like guitar, cuatro (a small four-stringed guitar), violin, bass, flute, and clarinet. You can hear the strong influence in the songs. Here is an example by the Duke of Iron. This video is from the 1930s and is only one of the little examples from this time with moving pictures.

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PERCUSSIONS

The use of African drums in spiritual and religious events is quite common in Trinidad & Tobago. Call and response is the key of drumology, which describes the conversation of drums. There are different types of drumming, like coup foulé or kalinalde. Tassa drumming will be touched on later in this article. The drums are essential for the development of rapso music but percussions are also an important component of soca. Nowadays the percussion elements are digitally arranged. The percussive style is especially taken for the so-called road mixes, ex, extended versions to "chip down di road" at the Carnival celebration. Often they are combined with whistles.

A rhythm section is a group of percussionists, that traditionally accompanied the steel pans groups, providing the pulse and rhythmic drive for the entire band. A rhythm section is a group of musicians playing different types of drums, performing instrumentally only. Drums are combined with the "beating of "iron", which is the same meaning as "beating a steel pan", another unique instrument originated in Trinidad from modified car tire irons, that create the clang, which is evident in so much Trinidadian music.

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BRASS

Brass bands became popular by the 1950s, often with strictly instrumental music releases. Mano Marcellin, Norman Tex Williams, and Gemini Brass are to mention here. As well as the Dutchy Brothers, which released the following record in 1960.

Besides percussive, like elements and rattles, trombones, horns, and trumpets were the basic instruments, as well as a few string instruments, like the cello was used. Brass bands build the background music for calypsonians in calypso tents and during live performances. Often one band was chosen for each calypso tent.

Video abspielen

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THE INFLUENCE FROM INDIA

Original chutney music, also known as bhojpuri folk music, incorporated only acoustic instruments, including a harmonium, hand drums (dholak), and a steel rod struck with a horseshoe device to keep rhythm (dhantal), sometimes together with Majeeras, which sound a little bit like cymbals.

The use of folk acoustic instruments in chutney music is an important difference from the other genres that emerged, like calypso and soca.

Tassa

Tassa drumming is very famous in Trinidad and Tobago. In nearly every village are tassa groups, especially in the South of Trinidad. For the annual Hosay festival, the drums are an essential part of the ceremonies.

Often tassa drummers are invited to accompaign religious ceremonies, like weddings, childbirth celebrations, funerals and wakes.

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This is from „Mastana Bahar“ a local TV program, showcasing the Indian heritage over decades (especially the 80s and 90s). This is „A Few Good Men“, a Tassa Group from San Fernando.

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INSTRUMENTS IN PARANG MUSIC

Traditional parang bands often referred to as "Parenderos" consist of four to six singers accompanied by musicians who are using instruments, that are very typical for the sound of the music. These can include the following instruments:

Venezuelan Cuatro (small four-string guitar)

It can also be an acoustic guitar or a triple or a bandola

Sometimes also a violin cello was used as bass, but the box bass was more common.

Box Bass

If you think the steel pan is the only instrument that originated, you are wrong. As already described, the iron was created here, and also the box bass has also its native origin in Trinidad and Tobago.
Since the middle of the 20. century it is counted as an official instrument and until today it is a basic part of the parang band. Unfortunately, there is not too much known about its original creation, yet. Most of them are often created by the musician self, so they are unique instruments.

Traditionally parang bands move from house to house to serenade family and friends during Christmas time. It is common to greet the Paranderos with drinks and food, following specific steps or rituals that accompanied the entry to a home, the dedication of songs to a host, the eating and drinking, and the departure. The resulting atmosphere would be that of happiness, and togetherness.

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