How to Play Steel Drums
(Steel Pans)

You can learn to play steel drums (steel pans) relatively quickly. But don’t let this fool you! There are techniques to playing steel pan. Spend time mastering the basic techniques. If not, you will find it difficult to play complex pieces.

If you have already mastered the basics, the exercises in the Improve Your Technique section can be used to help fine-tune your playing.

Click on the following topics for more information.

Basic Steel Pan Techniques

• Playing Position
• Grip
• Steel Pan Strokes
• The Roll

Improve Your Steel Pan Technique

• How to develop a smooth even roll on the steel pan
  
  
• Legato (smooth and connected) rolls
  
  
• Rolling Exercises
  
  
• How to develop speed and dexterity on the steel pan