It’s the seminal sound that is instantly recognisable; it can be mellow or exciting; it’s an energetic, involved sonic intricacy.
It is the steel pan – and the University College of the Cayman Islands is running classes every Monday in how to play it.
Weekender has taken the classes previously and they’re totally ace. Here’s Glen Inanga, a keen pan player, to tell us more.
Can you describe the class?
The class is a highly interactive and hands on which the student really learns by doing having a lot of fun in the process. It is hard to find anyone that is not taken out of their comfort zone.
Who can get involved?
Absolutely anyone as long as they are classified as ‘adults’
Do you need to be musically trained?
Absolutely no prior musical training is required
What can people get out of the lessons?
A highly sociable experience with amazing developments in coordination between the hands as a by-product. Someone mentioned in a recent class that it was also a very good mental workout at the same time.
Tell me a little about Cayman’s relationship with pan please!
Since it was introduced to Cayman by the legendary Earl La Pierre in the late 1980s, the steel pan has quickly become a great vehicle to express aspects of our contemporary culture. It is very much a major part of the musical education landscape in the various schools in Cayman.
How much fun is it?
More fun than anyone can imagine. Spaces are filling. Quickly to sign up now to avoid disappointment.
The classes run for 14 weeks at 6pm every Monday. Course cost is $165. E-mail [email protected] for more info.
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