Steel Drums

Originally steel drums were fashioned from 55 gallon industrial drums. The metal of the drum was hammered to create different pitches on different parts of the drum. The different pitches are a result of the metal being hammered thinner in some areas and thicker in others.

Steel drums are available in a variety of sizes so that they can have soprano, alto, tenor, and bass voices. Mallets are used to play the steel drums.

Steel drum bands are very popular in the Caribbean islands.

Study the image provided and listen to the sound sample of the steel drums to gain an understanding of these instruments.

Listen to a sample of steel drums: