The Steel Pan Family
(Steel Drum Family)

A typical steelband (steel drum band) has four sections

• Frontline Pans section - contains the highest pitched instruments
  
  
• Mid-range pans section - contains instruments in the middle of the steelband range
  
  
• Background pans section - contains the lowest pitched instruments
  
  
• Engine room - contains percussion instruments other than the steel pan

Click on the names of the sections for more information on the topic.

Approximate Range of the Steel Pan Family

NOTE The steel pan ranges presented on this website are approximate ranges. Not all steel pans have been standardized and so range and note placement may vary from steelband to steelband.

Also, only the more common instruments are discussed. There are many types of steel pans that are not popular or are only used on special occasions such as competitions.

Layout of a Steelband (Steel Drum Band)

There are a few basic rules on how to layout a steelband (steel drum band) and get the best possible sound from each section.

For more information on the layout of a steelband, click here