A musical trip to Trinidad & Tobago

                                                                                   

                                                         A musical trip to Trinidad & Tobago

                                                                                               

-The Steel Drums-

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I remember the first time I heard them. I was on my first big vacation, a ten-day cruise to the Caribbean in December 2010, and we had hit our first stop - St. Thomas. As we walked further from the ship and closer to town, I could hear what sounded like Christmas music; it was cheerful, upbeat, and overwhelmingly inviting. We turned the corner and there was a group of people playing drum-like instruments, which I now know to be steel drums. It was a highschool Steelband raising money for a school trip. Picture below:

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  "No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music."

                                                 -Billy Joel

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Where in the world are Trinidad and Tobago?

Trinidad and Tobago are two islands settled Northeast of Venezuela, just a few miles off the South American shores, between the southern part of the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. At its nearest point, Trinidad is only 7 miles from Venezuela, and roughly 20 miles separate Trinidad and Tobago. These islands are also considered to be part of the West Indies – which, to me, looks like a tropical paradise!

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 Musical Culture

Trinidad & Tobago

There are multiple musical styles that come from this region, some include: Calypso, Soca, and Steelpan.

The roots within this music come to life every year when ‘Carnival’ begins, a festive time of year in the Caribbean, characterized by dressing up, listening to music, and dancing. This time frame begins once Christmas is over, primarily in February or March. The history of Carnival dates back to the 18^th century when French and European settlers arrived in Trinidad and Tobago with their slaves and introduced their idea of Carnival, a traditional celebration.

Later, the people of Trinidad and Tobago developed their own cultural version of Carnival, and this really started to evolve once slaves were freed – Everyone could celebrate their native culture as one through costumes, music, and dance. The history of this traditional celebration involves a complicated mix of, “colonialism, religious conversion, and ultimately freedom and celebration.” Trinidad and Tobago are considered to be the birthplace of Carnival in the Caribbean, and where it got its "modern" start. 

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Calypso

Calypso began as a way for slaves to communicate through song, while also serving as a political expression. Nowadays, however, Calypso is known as the signature music of Carnival with its upbeat tempo, harmonic vocals, and rhythmic dance form; and it has become less about its lyrics. Calypso music is written in a distinctive syncopated meter of 2/4 or 4/4 and has a Trinidadian Folk feel to it. From the songs I have listened to while doing my research, I enjoy the fact that Calypso music can be enjoyed from the seat of your chair, or in a crowd dancing; very versatile. Harry Belafonte is known as the “King of Calypso” as he is accredited for spreading the genre internationally.

Day-O (Banana Boat Song) - Harry Belafonte (1977)

                                                                                                    "Day-o, day-o
                                                                             Daylight come and we want go home
                                                                 Day, is a day, is a day, is a day, is a day, is a day-o
                                                                            Daylight come and we want go home"

Day-O, also known as, The Banana Boat Song, is one of Harry Belafonte's most popular songs. The lyrics behind this song come from the perspective of night shift dock workers, whose shift ends when the sun rises. They want their work to be acknowledged so they can get home.

"You can cage the singer but not the song."

                                                   -Harry Belafonte

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                   Soca      

 “Soul of Calypso,” or Soca, was created in the 1970s after “Lord Shorty” fused Calypso with Indo-Caribbean influences. A modern-day spin from Calypso music, but Soca incorporated a much faster beat and better accommodated the dancing element of Carnival. Machel Montano, Soca icon, described the genre as, "It's kind of like Calypso's young, teenaged bad son." "It's really a younger sound, more vibrant than Calypso," He added.

Machel Montano - Port of Spain, Trinidad (2011)

The energy produced from Soca music is electrifying and creates a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. Instruments generally used in this type of music are drum sets, electronic instruments, keyboard synthesizers - as well as, electric guitars, and sometimes saxophones, trombones, and trumpets. American rapper, 'Pitbull', teamed up with Machel Montano and they released "Alright" in 2010. And I must admit, I found myself bouncing around in my chair while listening to this song. Click HERE to check it out! 

"The intention of the energy of soca music is to really uplift people; really make them smile; keep them happy; make them celebrate even in the toughest times."

                                                                          -Machel Montano

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Steelpan

Now we are to the reason why I choose to do my assignment on Trinidad and Tobago - The Steelpan! In the United States, we commonly refer to them as steel drums. The history behind this instrument and type of music is quite interesting. Oil drums left behind by US Troops during WWII were used and shaped into a new instrument, known as the Steelpan. Prior to this invention, percussion was created by drumming bamboo shoots against almost anything - their knees, buildings, and the streets. The steelpan is now the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago and has incredible popularity worldwide; However, that wasn't always the case. Early on, steelpans and steel bands were looked down on as they were associated with low-income communities. The instrument, and form of music of a whole, gained respect when Dr. Eric Williams, leader of the People's National Movement, asked corporations to sponsor steel bands. The rest is history!

Different notes and pitches are created by hammering out multiple grooved divots in a 55- gallon drum. On the Chromatic Scale, there are 12 different notes. A Steelpan also has a smaller range and generally contains 2 1/2 octaves. Depending on the sound you want to produce from a specific pan, skirts are made and put on the drum. The shorts the skirt, the higher the pan's register is; and vice versa. Rubber mallets are used to play the steelpan.

The making of a pan can be found HERE

                                             

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Take a listen to some basic sounds produced by a steelpan!

Furthermore, steelbands are Trinidadian and Tobagonian ensembles that use multiple steelpans. They characterize many styles of music from this region, and have become their own musical genre. These pans range in pitch, and the steelbands often incorporate other nonmelodic percussion instruments, such as tambourines or bongos. 

Bishop Anstey High School Steelband - Trinidad and Tobago National Secondary Schools' Panorama 2019

Click HERE to see what a true Trinidad and Tobago Carnival experience looks like

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One thing I know, I have learned so much about the musical culture and history of Trinidad and Tobago and it is quite fascinating. There is so much that plays into this beautiful region, and the evolution of their musical background. It is quite vast, and I love how each style is a twist on another. 

My family is from Mississippi, so I have been to a handful of Mardigras parades - but it sure seems as though these Carnivals in the Caribbean are next level. The extravagant costumes alone are very captivating. If I ever find myself in the Caribbean again, I will have to explore Trinidad and Tobago. 

"What ears hear tongue shouldn't know."

                                                 -Trinidad and Tobago Proverb

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I use to work with special needs kids at a local high school and it was a wonderful experience. I learned so much from those kids. I feel an empathetic connection towards the steeldrum as two of my students were in the school band, and they both played the steel drum. In a world where they may not always be, or feel, included - The steel drum certainly gave them that. I remember walking down the music hallway and peaking through the door while they practiced. On occasion, they would perform in the commons during the mornings, and my students were always there and doing their part. I was so very proud of them. I feel as though the steel drum allowed them to be included, and for that, I am forever appreciative of this instrument.

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|Sources|

Curley, C. (n.d.). Cultures Combine to Make Carnival in the Caribbean. Retrieved from https://www.tripsavvy.com/brief-history-carnival-in-caribbean-1488004

Day-O (The Banana Boat Song). (2021, January 28). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day-O_(The_Banana_Boat_Song)

Dreisinger, B. (2011, March 04). Soca: The Music Of Trinidad's Carnival. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2011/03/14/134264326/soca-the-music-of-trinidads-carnival

Johnson, C. (2019, January 10). List of Melodic & Non-Melodic Percussion Instruments. Retrieved from https://ourpastimes.com/list-of-melodic-non-melodic-percussion-instruments-12337827.html

Lonely Planet. (2019, September 04). 358182: Trinidad & Tobago/Background/Other Features/Culture/Music. Retrieved from https://www.lonelyplanet.com/trinidad-tobago/background/other-features/culture/8190b1be-ca05-49dc-ab9e-1287a771b541/a/nar/8190b1be-ca05-49dc-ab9e-1287a771b541/358182

MasterClass. (2020, November 09). Soca Music Guide: 9 Types of Soca Music - 2021. Retrieved from https://www.masterclass.com/articles/soca-music-guide#9-types-of-soca-music

Steelpan. (2021, March 02). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steelpan

Taylor, C. (2019, January 18). The steelpan - from creation to Panorama to the world. Retrieved from https://www.discovertnt.com/articles/Trinidad/The-Making-of-a-Steel-Pan/108/3/19#axzz6oT1LpN96

Curley, C. (n.d.). Cultures Combine to Make Carnival in the Caribbean. Retrieved from https://www.tripsavvy.com/brief-history-carnival-in-caribbean-1488004 Retrieved 5 March 2021.

Day-O (The Banana Boat Song). (2021, January 28). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day-O_(The_Banana_Boat_Song)Retrieved 5 March 2021

Dreisinger, B. (2011, March 04). Soca: The Music Of Trinidad's Carnival. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2011/03/14/134264326/soca-the-music-of-trinidads-carnivalRetrieved 5 March 2021

Curley, C. (n.d.). Cultures Combine to Make Carnival in the Caribbean. Retrieved from https://www.tripsavvy.com/brief-history-carnival-in-caribbean-1488004

Day-O (The Banana Boat Song). (2021, January 28). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day-O_(The_Banana_Boat_Song)

Dreisinger, B. (2011, March 04). Soca: The Music Of Trinidad's Carnival. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2011/03/14/134264326/soca-the-music-of-trinidads-carnival

Johnson, C. (2019, January 10). List of Melodic & Non-Melodic Percussion Instruments. Retrieved from https://ourpastimes.com/list-of-melodic-non-melodic-percussion-instruments-12337827.html

Lonely Planet. (2019, September 04). 358182: Trinidad & Tobago/Background/Other Features/Culture/Music. Retrieved from https://www.lonelyplanet.com/trinidad-tobago/background/other-features/culture/8190b1be-ca05-49dc-ab9e-1287a771b541/a/nar/8190b1be-ca05-49dc-ab9e-1287a771b541/358182

MasterClass. (2020, November 09). Soca Music Guide: 9 Types of Soca Music - 2021. Retrieved from https://www.masterclass.com/articles/soca-music-guide#9-types-of-soca-music

Steelpan. (2021, March 02). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steelpan

Taylor, C. (2019, January 18). The steelpan - from creation to Panorama to the world. Retrieved from https://www.discovertnt.com/articles/Trinidad/The-Making-of-a-Steel-Pan/108/3/19#axzz6oT1LpN96

Johnson, C. (2019, January 10). List of Melodic & Non-Melodic Percussion Instruments. Retrieved from https://ourpastimes.com/list-of-melodic-non-melodic-percussion-instruments-12337827.htmlRetrieved 5 March 2021

Lonely Planet. (2019, September 04). 358182: Trinidad & Tobago/Background/Other Features/Culture/Music. Retrieved from https://www.lonelyplanet.com/trinidad-tobago/background/other-features/culture/8190b1be-ca05-49dc-ab9e-1287a771b541/a/nar/8190b1be-ca05-49dc-ab9e-1287a771b541/358182Retrieved 5 March 2021

MasterClass. (2020, November 09). Soca Music Guide: 9 Types of Soca Music - 2021. Retrieved from https://www.masterclass.com/articles/soca-music-guide#9-types-of-soca-musicRetrieved 5 March 2021

Steelpan. (2021, March 02). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SteelpanRetrieved 5 March 2021

Taylor, C. (2019, January 18). The steelpan - from creation to Panorama to the world. Retrieved from https://www.discovertnt.com/articles/Trinidad/The-Making-of-a-Steel-Pan/108/3/19#axzz6oT1LpN96Retrieved 5 March 2021