How to Play Chords on Steel Drums

As a percussive instrument with actual melodic tones, steel drums have a fascinating history and a unique sound. For drummers who want to expand their musical "vocabulary," an expedition into the world of steel drums can be a good way to go. As part of the nature of the instrument, you can actually play melodic chords on steel drums. Here's how to create a chord sound from steel drums.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Find note tones on your steel drums. Lots of steel drum sets come with melodic notes labeled on them. If not, you'll have to find some other way of identifying your musical tones on each part of the steel drum.

2. Choose a key. As with other instruments, to create harmonic chords, you'll first need to choose a key. If you are playing with a band, the key is probably already chosen. Otherwise, pick a key you find enjoyable or easy to play in, based on what notes you have on your steel drums.

3. Create your harmonic major scale. Find the base note of your key and identify the major scale notes. If you have trouble, online scale guides can help you pick out the notes of the major scale.

4. Build your chord "recipe" off of your major scale. Find the notes that go into your chord and write them down or memorize them, so that you can find them on your steel drum set.

5. Play chords with multiple batons. When you have your chord notes, practice trying to reach them at the same time, or with "strumming" techniques where your baton skips from one note to another. You can play chords all at once, or in fast note sequences, just as you would with a string instrument. Hit the collection of notes, and you'll hear the strains of your steel drum chord.

Resources

• Major scale basics