PLEASE defend OIL DRUMS

17 Jul 04 - 04:09 AM (#1227517)
Subject: BS: PLEASE defend OIL DRUMS
From: GUEST,BtB - decookied methinks

G'day,

Just heard Harry Belafonte on the wirelss. Not one of his Classic Calypsos, but it reminded me of the 44 gal Calypso Drums of the 50s. C'mon cobbers - point me to some sites with pointers on how to build a folk instrument out of a 44 gal drum. My last try went...

BANG

Cheers - Sam

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17 Jul 04 - 04:19 AM (#1227519)
Subject: RE: BS: PLEASE defend OIL DRUMS
From: Mr Red

I used to put Neatsfoot Oil on my Bodhran is this close to your description?

FWIW the correct onomaopaeic is

TING

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17 Jul 04 - 09:30 PM (#1227944)
Subject: RE: BS: PLEASE defend OIL DRUMS
From: The Fooles Troupe

Isn't the USA & its 'Coalition of the Willing' currently trying to defend Oil Drums in Iraq at the moment?

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18 Jul 04 - 04:58 PM (#1228395)
Subject: RE: BS: PLEASE defend OIL DRUMS
From: Nerd

Try here

There are also books to be had in the library, including if I recall one by Pete Seeger!

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18 Jul 04 - 04:59 PM (#1228398)
Subject: RE: BS: PLEASE defend OIL DRUMS
From: Nerd

Also, the name of the folk instrument is steel drum, steel pan, steelpan or pan. So searching on these terms will help you a lot more than trying to search on "oil drum."

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18 Jul 04 - 05:03 PM (#1228401)
Subject: RE: BS: PLEASE defend OIL DRUMS
From: beardedbruce

The ones that have been made at the Smithsonian Folk Festival have benn from 55 gallon drums. I think the stretching of the top, into divided areas, is what gives the steel drum its tonal quality. I recall the makers chalking in the areas, then tuning by re-hammering repeatedly.

8-{E

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18 Jul 04 - 05:07 PM (#1228407)
Subject: RE: BS: PLEASE defend OIL DRUMS
From: Peace

I didn't do enough of anything in the '60s to enjoy steel drums.

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18 Jul 04 - 05:11 PM (#1228410)
Subject: RE: BS: PLEASE defend OIL DRUMS
From: beardedbruce

They ARE something of an acquired taste- like banjos, bagpipes, accordians, etc.

Just think of them as a percussion harpsichord...

8-{E

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18 Jul 04 - 05:13 PM (#1228416)
Subject: RE: BS: PLEASE defend OIL DRUMS
From: McGrath of Harlow

Great instrument, but a bit loud for a pub session. Best in a steelband, with the various sizes of pans.

But what's with the suggestion that steel bands have died out? Here a link with a site of pictures from last year's Notting Hill Carnival, in London complete with steel bands. (And here's a link to a site with info about the 2004 Carnival).

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18 Jul 04 - 05:19 PM (#1228420)
Subject: RE: BS: PLEASE defend OIL DRUMS
From: Nerd

Here's something I don't often say:

BeardedBruce is 100% right!

The standard drum size is 55 gallons, not 44, and that's exactly how they are tuned.

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18 Jul 04 - 05:20 PM (#1228422)
Subject: RE: BS: PLEASE defend OIL DRUMS
From: Nerd

Hey, why is this a BS thread? Seems perfectly musical to me.

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18 Jul 04 - 06:20 PM (#1228454)
Subject: RE: BS: PLEASE defend OIL DRUMS
From: beardedbruce

Nerd:

I must have made a mistake! (BG)... Ah, here it is- Perhaps the drums ARE 44 Imperial gallons.... Would that be 55 standard US gallons?

8-{E

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18 Jul 04 - 06:31 PM (#1228468)
Subject: RE: BS: PLEASE defend OIL DRUMS
From: GUEST,Seaking

I think 205 litres is now the (UK) Standard...

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18 Jul 04 - 06:35 PM (#1228473)
Subject: RE: BS: PLEASE defend OIL DRUMS
From: beardedbruce

There are also standard 34 gallon drums- not sure if they make steel drums out of them or not. Should not be any problem- sort of like the various instruments in the violin family, or the old-time (20-30s) Banjo bands...

( image of steel drum made from Cambell's soup can...)

8-{E

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19 Jul 04 - 12:22 AM (#1228695)
Subject: RE: BS: PLEASE defend OIL DRUMS
From: Bob Bolton

Hmmm...

A bit of a check up on 44 (Imperial) gallon drums, a while back, reminded me that Imperial : US gallons is not precisely 4 : 5.

55 US gallons is ~ 208 litres (OK - 208.197), while 44 Imperial gallons is almost exactly 200 litres (200.024) ... leading me to wonder if that saw the "original" design size!

Of course, if you find the developed steel drum too cerebral, you could try a search on (~) Les Tombeurs du Bronx ... a stage full of perspring French maniacs beating untuned old rums with baseball bats. (And their website was almost as good ... )

Regard(les)s,

Bob Bolton

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19 Jul 04 - 12:25 AM (#1228697)
Subject: RE: BS: PLEASE defend OIL DRUMS
From: Bob Bolton

Damn!

For what it's worth, that should have read:

"... a stage full of perspring French maniacs beating untuned old Drums ..."

but maybe that was also a factor ...

Regards,

Bob

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19 Jul 04 - 02:53 AM (#1228729)
Subject: RE: BS: PLEASE defend OIL DRUMS
From: Bob Bolton

G'day Nerd,

Actually, I mean not to try to type left-handed while finishing off my lunch and mug of tea! (It might also be a good idea to hit the Preview check box before Submit!)

The moving types then strikes "Submit",
Not all my profanity - and less wit -
Can lure it back - or cancel half a word
of it ... Oh ...!

(And make that:

"... a stage full of perspiring French maniacs beating untuned oil drums with baseball bats ..." !)

Regards,

Bob

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19 Jul 04 - 03:49 PM (#1229189)
Subject: RE: BS: PLEASE defend OIL DRUMS
From: Peace

It would only improve the sound.

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