Classifying Instruments
1.
Title: Unknown
2.
Performer: Petoskey Steel Drum Band
3.
Origin: Caribbean (Trinidad)
4.
Instrumentation: Steel Drum Band
Classifying instruments is important as it allows for people
to identify the differences between instrument sounds, how they are played,
parts that they may play within the ensemble, or interesting characteristics of
instruments. The example above is of a Steel Drum Group. While a Steel Drum
ensemble is comprised of primarily only percussion instruments, the drums are split
into sections by pitches identifying which drums play what parts. The Frontline
Pan section consists of three types of high pitched drums that typically play
the melody, countermelody, or provide high harmonic support. The Mid-Range Pans
are made up of three mid-range pitched instruments providing harmonic support
and countermelodies. The Background Pans section includes the lowest pitched
drums and provide the foundation of the band. Finally there is the Engine Room
which includes all non-pitched percussion instruments that utilized to provide
the steady beat for the ensemble. Without being able to classify the
instruments within the Steel Drum Band, it would be difficult to understand the
necessity of the different sized steel drums and their uses.
References:
Steel Pan (Steel Drums) Information, Tips, and Advice. http://www.steelpan-steeldrums-information.com/. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
References:
Steel Pan (Steel Drums) Information, Tips, and Advice. http://www.steelpan-steeldrums-information.com/. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
Hi Karla, I like the piece you picked for this week. I agree that classifying instruments is very helpful, especially when the instruments are not from the culture that the teacher is from. Being able to classify all of the instruments as idiophones and membranophones in this example would give someone who was not familiar with a steel drum band an idea of how all of the instruments work and make sounds. If we weren't able to classify instruments in this way, it would take longer to understand how instruments from different cultures function.
ReplyDeleteKarla,
ReplyDeleteGreat choice of piece for this week! Listening to the steel drum band makes me want to go on vacation! The classification of instruments that you described in your post is very specific for this particular ensemble, but I think that your assessment of it helps to show the importance of classification on a larger scale as well. Classifying instruments by their function in the ensemble helps a person to relate instruments to their own ensemble experiences and the functions of instruments that they are used to working with. Great post- thank you for sharing!