How to Play Rhythms on Steel Drums

When playing the steel drums, you have an opportunity to mix melody and rhythm together, something traditional drummers cannot do. By taking what you already understand about steel drums and applying different rhythms, you can get that distinct steel drum sound that is known the world over.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Steel drums
• Drum sticks

1. Play a melody you are familiar with. To begin with, choose something simple that you can expand upon in later steps. This tune is the foundation for playing rhythm.

2. Work with the drum's limitations. Even though it only has three octaves, there is a lot of room to explore. Using your simple melody, fill in the space around the note with counter rhythms.

3. Imagine you are playing two songs at once, one with each hand. However, these two songs are fusing together to make one melodic, rhythmic sound on the steel drum. Like an ensemble, both your hands can play off what the other is doing. Sometimes they can sync up, other times they are balancing each other out.

4. Think polyrhythms. Consider how many different sounds and notes you can tastefully fit into this piece. The aspect listeners love about steel drums is the overwhelming rainbow of sounds coming from one drum.

5. Practice in a group, so you can use these same techniques. Use your instrument to compliment what the other players are doing. Let the drum express who you are in this group.

Tips & Warnings

• There is no definitive way to play the steel drums, which may be why they are so versatile. You can use them as a rhythm instrument or as a melodic instrument, but you get best results by combining the two.
• Use the proper sticks for steel drums. This instrument is very sensitive and can be easily damaged.