Can Steel Pan Programs Last?

                                                      Members of the Miami University Steel Band

The recent April Steel Pan Collective newsletter struck a nerve. After reading through the two Profiles in Pan (Jerry Lopatin and Chris Tanner), we realized that a common theme kept coming up - lack of resources. Could that be the problem in the troubled marriage between pan programs and schools?

We know for a fact that when a pan program gets up and running it is usually successful. Chris Tanner said that a new program was cropping up in southwest Ohio alone every 15 months. There are some very dedicated pan leaders and champions out there pushing to keep pan in the forefront.

But what happens when that instructor or champion moves on or retires? Are they leaving behind pan programs too vulnerable to budget cuts and a lack of pan educators to continue the program? We are starting to wonder if U.S. programs are centered too much around the instructor and not on the instrument.

Jerry Lopatin's story was one that got us thinking. He built what was and still is considered one of the more sustainable pan programs in the country. But when Jerry finally retired from teaching elementary students for 30 years, his replacement was not pan trained or familiar with running a pan program. Jerry even offered himself up to others in the district. No takers stepped up. So the kids' pan program died from neglect. The pan world lost another generation of future pan players.

So what are some possibilities to reducing the risk to pan programs?

1) More Pan Instructors - Clearly, there are not enough instructors trained in pan, running pan programs, or who understand the versatility of the instrument. More exposure to the instrument might help. We do our part by playing concerts/festivals in our local communities. Education and certification in pan is one such option for those with an interest in teaching pan. Who does it and where that happens still has to be figured out?

2) Music Education - Scanning the web will provide a listing of various music education programs. Few offer pan as a principal instrument. If steel pan is offered at all, it is likely lumped under percussion instruments. It might make sense on the surface. But consider this. A whole orchestra of sound can be formed with steel pans. Can the same be said for drum sets or congas? Maybe its time for pan to step out of that catch-all category of percussion and take its rightful place alongside piano as a special kind of "percussion" instrument.

There is still hope for pan in the U.S. The pan community can either work through the existing traditional university system or come up with an education alternative. Being the rebels we are at the Steel Pan Collective, we lean towards the latter.

There is no reason why pan can't live on in programs around the country. We don't have to rely completely on one person or champion to carry that burden. That may be too big of a risk to pan's future in the U.S. It is a solution we all need to solve together.

Stand and Play!

Steel pans are a physically demanding instrument. Just getting instruments to and from gigs can take a toll on any pan musician or group. But there is so much more to the instrument. "Playing" steel pans is just as physical. It just makes sense that the better you use your body, the better you play.

One of the struggles of steel pan players is where to stand in relation to their pan(s). Here are some suggestions from the website MyPanyard:

1) Pans should be position waist high,
2) Give yourself about five inches out from the pan to allow for movement,
3) Feet planted firmly on the ground.

We have found at the Steel Pan Collective that keeping elbows at or little above waist high works well too. Using foot mats are ok because they take some of the pressure off your feet. Keeping pliable knees and loose shoulders also prevents strain and injury. Staying limber and loose is one of the keys for getting the most out of your steel pan playing.

MyPanyard offers specific suggestions for tenors, doubles, guitars, quadrophonics, and basses. General resources such as the Musician's Way also offer suggestions that will help you play better and for longer.

This is the season when our steel pan gigs and performances pick up. Events and festivals, like the 2015 Pan People Music Festival, are chances to showcase our talents. Making sure your body is prepared for the season will make sure your performances are the best.

How Different Steel Pan Gigs Pay

"Music is spiritual. The music business is not." - Van Morrison

McDonald's recent decision to now pay bands for playing in its SXSW Showcase was huge. The reversal comes on the heels of a scathing Facebook post by one of the bands, Ex-Cops.  The post offered a blistering account of how the company asked participating bands to come and play for free.  In return, bands were promised increased exposure. After intense public pressure, McDonald's finally got the message and backtracked. The whole situation is another reminder of that age old problem artists face - getting paid.

It got us thinking about our steel pan community and how we survive when it comes to gigs. It doesn't matter whether you are a seasoned professional or a community band playing a local farmer's market. You have to be compensated for your time, talent, and effort. Here are a couple of thoughts on the types of gigs steel pan musicians run across.

Paying Gigs
It is a very simple concept. You show up, play, and someone pays you money. Hopefully, it will be in a currency you recognize. How and what amount varies on the arrangement and event. Typical arrangements gigs range from by-the-hour to a flat fee. Paying gigs are most common for weddings, private parties, concerts, festivals, etc. The promoter will often times pick up your expenses if the event is large enough.

Pay can also vary based on how much business you can bring into an establishment.  You might see this when working with clubs and bars. The person doing the booking is banking on your band bringing in enough people so they can make a profit on the food and drinks sold.

Gigs that pay in food, access to special services, or the promise of future gigs are riskier. You are in essence paying for free in a gig that is making money off your talent. Those kind of gigs can suck the life out of you. And when it comes down to it, promises and free food don't pay the rent. Here are a few tips on negotiating the best deal.

Pay for Play
Pay for Play is without question one of the most controversial gigs available. The Steel Pan Collective is not a big fan or supporter of any deal where you pay the gig to perform steel pan. We believe you should be paid or understand upfront it's a volunteer event. Pay for Play is not a win/win for everyone involved. Someone always goes home a loser and it is usually the musician. Look at it from the event planner or promoters point of view. Not paying performers makes for a better bottom line for them, especially if they charge the public AND the band.

The only time you should pay to play is if you are taking lessons or if you enter a steel pan competition. Your payment might come in the form of fees on the front end for the latter.  However, those fees are another expense steel pan musicians and bands have to cover on top of travel and accommodations.  This ultimately cuts into any profit you hope to make.

Pay for Play gigs are ones you should be particularly careful about. Websites like Neverpaytoplay.com offer some additional hints to look out for.

Volunteer Gigs
These gigs are the kind you do for a good cause or a specific non-profit. The event is not expected to be a huge revenue generator. The promoter ends up shouldering the burden of raising revenue through other means like sponsorships. Some non-profits or special causes will offer some kind of payment to musicians in the form of a small fee, T-Shirts, merchandise, food, or access to other events.

The difference between Pay for Play and volunteer gigs are the reason for the event. In a volunteer event, everyone participating believes in the cause and it is their way of showing support. Organizations like Musicians on Call take it a step further and organize volunteer musicians to go and play for hospital patients. Your performance at a volunteer gig furthers the cause of the organization and makes you feel good too. Your payment comes in the form of a good deed.

So what has been your experience? We would love to hear what makes for a good or bad gig when it comes to getting paid. Drop us a line at info@steelpancollective.org.


Thinking of going to the 2015 Pan People Music Festival? Bring a friend and we'll see you in Denver.

Top Three Reasons for Playing in a Steel Pan Band

"Band members have a special bond. A great band is more than just some people working together. It's like a highly specialized army unit or a winning sports team. A unique combination of elements that become stronger together than apart." - Steven Van Zandt.

The Steel Pan Collective is a community of steel pan players and band members. Everyday, we hear and see stories of why playing in a steel pan group is so special. It doesn't matter whether someone is a solo steel pan player in a jazz group or one of of many players warming up for Panorama, there is an appeal and attraction to playing with others.   Here are our top three:

Camaraderie
There is a special bond among steel pan players. We don't talk about it. It is a feeling. We know we are doing something cool, something unique. We cheer each other on no matter what.  It could be in rehearsals, traveling to a gig, or performing on stage. Steel pan players belong to a special musical family. And like any family, no matter the ups or downs, the love shines through. Watch a steel pan performance on YouTube. See what happens when players make eye contact with each other. Chances are you are going to see a genuine smile come over them. They share a love of playing steel pan.

Overcome Risks Together
Getting that new piece of music can be overwhelming. Once a steel pan group overcomes the initial shock, they get to it and learn the piece. It takes time. But bit by bit, note by note, they find a way to get through it. We help each other figure out the hard parts. Steel pan players will play a piece  several times until it sounds right. Even our best professionals iron out the details. They too, will practice something over and over again.  And that's ok because steel plan players are truly invested in creating the best sounding music on the planet.

Shared Learning
Learning steel pan has changed little since its beginning. Many of the early players learned by rote. That tradition continues today. Most players are shown the notes and the pattern to play. They watch others over and over again before trying it themselves. When a difficult part comes up, the ask someone. Eventually they get it because its a supportive, learning experience for everyone.

Part of Something Bigger
There is nothing like being in a steel pan band. It is one of the best parts of playing. Your growth happens because you have a chance to be a part of something special, something bigger than yourself.  That is what steel pan is all about.

Those smiles will be on display at the 2015 Pan People Music Festival. Come and see what it is like to be part of a steel pan band.

Denver's 2015 Pan People Music Festival

Registration is now open for the Denver 2015 Pan People Music Festival. We are looking forward to showcasing the steel pan talents of musicians and bands. The musical performances are open to the public and are free. We will also be offering the chance to attend the SPC networking reception and dinner as well as the film Pan! Our Modern Odyssey. Those two events require an advance ticket purchase.

We are so excited to host the upcoming 2015 Pan People Music Festival in Denver. It promises to be a great event. The team is working hard to get preparations under way. We are especially excited to be holding it on the Auraria campus in downtown Denver.

Our partners for the event is University of Colorado at Denver's College of Arts and Media. Luckily for us, they will be holding their summer camp for high schoolers during the same time. The camp is called Lynx and is part of the Lynx National Arts and Media program. For many of the camp attendees, it will be their first exposure to steel pan. We love sparking some interest. Who knows? Some future players may come out of it.

We were especially excited to already see our information up on When Steel Talks, the website for steel pan news around the U.S. That was cool.

Be sure to continue to check our site for the latest info. Don't forget to register too!

Hope to see you at the 2015 Pan People Music Festival.

Five Traits Of Solid Steel Pan Players

Did you watch some of the Panorama performances recently? You can't but wonder what separates solid pan players from the rest. They all have something in common. You see it in those performances, various You Tube videos and when we think about it in our own personal playing. Here is what we see:

1) Attitude - one of the most important. Positive attitude is something you can see in a pan player's face. Even during those long, sometime difficult rehearsals and practice sessions, you can't help but see and feel a positive attitude about the instrument they play. It is a attitude of self confidence, especially when it is time to perform.

2) Determination - perhaps this comes from steel pan and its history. It means playing in spite of all the obstacles and hurdles. Many of us play steel pan as a hobby. Few of us do it as a profession. We have plenty of other "happenings" in our life to keep us busy. But we carve out time to play steel pan. We want to be good at it. And we are determined to get there.

3) Relentless - This is one of the most admirable traits. We are relentless in the sense that we will go to any lengths to learn from others. We will seek out others doing what we want to do. We watch videos. We listen to old recordings. We rehearse and rehearse and rehearse. Our relentlessness drives us to be better each time we pick up out sticks.

4) Learner - Steel pan is in a constant state of evolution. When you listen to pan players some 20 to 30 years ago, you hear a different style. With each year and decade, new players come along layering what they learn on top of new directions they want to take the instrument. You'll are gradually seeing that in some of the pan competitions and performances around the world. We are all learners.

5) Happy - This is different than attitude. When I perform or I watch others perform, they all seem to be enjoying what they are doing. As a matter of fact, that is one of the comments we hear most from audiences. We all look so happy. I have yet to see a performing pan player who doesn't seem to be enjoying doing what he is doing.

Do you have others traits we haven't mentioned? Let us know at info@steelpancollective.org.

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We're Back and Ready to Play!

As many of you, we took the month of January off. We didn't do a lot of social media stuff. So it may have seemed like the lights at Steel Pan Collective had gone dark. But that was not the case.

We have been working behind the scenes with the goal of making 2015 a great year for the SPC. Members of the board and our volunteers are busily working on the 2015 Pan People Music Festival in Denver. Since this is our first event in the city, we are certainly learning the ropes of working with the various agencies and locations. Honestly, it hasn't been easy.

The city had decided to put a halt to any new festivals in 2015. The reason being that Denver is VERY festival friends and we have close to 300 festivals between May and September. That puts enormous pressure on some of the city's resources. They, the city of Denver, is taking the year off to get a better handle on the festival load.

So, with the city saying no - not this year. We began searching for another location and had to get creative for our festival. Right now, we hope to finalize the location soon. We are very excited about it. So cross your fingers.

The format for the festival is a one day fun filled event featuring public performances of steel pan groups, exhibitors, a networking reception for participants and the public, and a screening of the film Pan! Our Music Odyssey. Dr. Kim Johnson will be on hand to talk about the film. (We've seen the film and think attendees will REALLY enjoy it). So stay tuned.

By the way, did anyone learn any good steel pan songs over the past few weeks?