This is a performance that I played with New Generation Branches Steel Orchestra last October. A steel orchestra is setup similar to a Symphony Orchestra. Instruments are grouped together by families of similar instruments. The main difference is that all instruments in a Steel Orchestra are percussion. Groups of steel drums and different percussion instruments in the percussion family make up the voices of a Steel Orchestra. The song Savannah Grass is a pop song from Trinidad and Tobago by the band KES. The tune is a melody about the famous Savannah Park, where Carnival is held. The tune was arranged in a Panorama style for the 2019 Miami Carnival Panorama. Florida is home to one of the two major steel band competitions in America.

Just for fun, I recorded myself playing Kokomo on steel pan. We all need some mellow music to help us relax.

The Tenor Pan, sometimes referred to as "Lead" pan is the soprano voice of the steel orchestra. This instrument is most like the Violin in a conventional string orchestra. Although it is called the Tenor, it is actually the "Soprano Voice" of the Steel Orchestra. Here is a clip of me playing the Tenor Pan on the Ed Sheeran tune "Shape of You".

The Double Second pan is made of two pans played by one player. This instrument is most like a Viola. It is the "Alto Voice" of the Steel Orchestra. This is a clip of the famous Andy Narell.

The Double Tenor pan is made of two pans played by one player. This instrument is most like a Viola. It is the "Alto Voice" of the Steel Orchestra. It is similar in tone to the Double Second, but the notes are designed in a different layout. This is a short demonstration by Ellie Mannette, the "Father of the Steel Pan".

The Double Guitar is just a larger version of the Double Second. The notes have a similar layout on the playing surface as the Double Second. This instrument is most like a guitar in range, which is why it was named the guitar pan. It mostly plays chords in a steel band or steel orchestra.

The Triple Cello is triple pan that is much deeper and lower than the tenor and double tenor. This instrument is most like the cello, where it gets it's name. This is a short clip of the triple cello.

This is the lowest instrument in the steel band family. It's made of six full sized oil barrels. They are usually elevated from floor, so their sound can ring. The Six Bass is most like the double bass in a string orchestra. Some other types of basses have nine or twelve barrels, but the six bass is the standard bass instrument.