How to Play Melodies on Steel Drums

Steel drums, also known as steel pans, produce clear, beautiful tones that make them some of the world's most recognizable instruments. They're also some of the smoothest-sounding drums in existence, which makes them a great instrument choice for musicians playing melodies and other lead roles in their ensembles. Before playing a melody on steel drums, keep the following tips in mind to make the most of their unique sound.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Remember that the steel drums are percussion instruments, so you'll be striking each note individually. This means you'll have to use a roll to produce legato phrasing.

2. Choose a melody that fits the steel drums' vibrant character. Save the gloomy melodies for darker-toned instruments.

3. Transpose the melody into different keys to make playing them easier on your drums. Depending on your skill and the drum's arrangement of notes, melodies might be harder to play in one key than another.

4. Use rolls to connect notes and give the melody a more flowing sound.

5. Balance your sound with the rest of the group. If you're playing a counter melody or doubling another player's line, control your dynamic level so you don't produce an overpowering sound.

6. Vary your dynamics and phrasing to bring out the melody's individual characteristics. Percussion instruments can be flexible and delicate, but you'll need to work at it to pull it off.

7. Practice the original melody before trying variations. If you plan on using variations during a performance, practice these ahead of time, too.