top of page
Steel pans in their current form were invented in Trinidad and Tobago in the 20th Century. All of the steel pan instruments used by CHS Steel are made from 55-gallon oil drums. There are several different steel pans in existence. Listed below are the steel pan types used by CHS Steel.
Lead (Tenor) Pan
Lead2Front.JPG
The Lead pan (also called tenor pan) is a soprano-voiced single pan instrument with the primary purpose of playing the melody. It is the highest pitched instrument in a steel pan ensemble.

The layout of the Lead pans at Catonsville High School is called Spiderweb or Circle of 5ths Lead Pans, which was invented by Tony Williams.
Double Tenor Pan
DoubleTenor2Front.JPG
The Double Tenor pan is an alto-voiced two-pan instrument in a steel pan ensemble. The Double Tenor pans play the melody, usually an octave lower. They are also known for playing countermelody and harmony and have a brighter sound than the Double Second pan.

The layout of the Double Tenor pans at Catonsville High School was invented by Bertie Marshall.
Double Second Pan
DoubleSeconds2Front.JPG
The Double Second pan is an alto-voiced two-pan instrument in a steel pan ensemble. The Double Second pans play the melody or strum chords as part of the accompaniment in a steel pan ensemble. They have a slightly darker sound than the Double Tenor pan.

The layout of the Double Second pans at Catonsville High School was invented by Ellie Mannette.
Triple Guitar Pan
GuitarStyle3Front.JPG
The Triple Guitar pan is a tenor-voiced three-pan instrument in a steel pan ensemble. The Triple Guitar pans primarily strum chords as part of the accompaniment in a steel pan ensemble (similar to a traditional guitar instrument).

The layout of the Triple Guitar pans at Catonsville High School was invented by Ellie Mannette.
Triple Cello Pan
CelloFront.JPG
The Triple Cello pan is a tenor-voiced three-pan instrument in a steel pan ensemble. The Triple Cello pans are known for playing melody, countermelody, or strumming chords as part of the accompaniment in a steel pan ensemble.

The layout of the Triple Cello pans at Catonsville High School was invented by Ellie Mannette.
Tenor Bass Pan
TenorBass2Front.JPG
The Tenor Bass pan is a bass-voiced four-pan instrument in a steel pan ensemble. The Tenor Bass pans are known for playing the bass part. Because of their higher range, they tend to provide more articulation and depth to the bass line.

The layout of the Tenor Bass pans at Catonsville High School was invented by Ellie Mannette.
Six Bass Pan
SixBassFront.JPG
The Six Bass pan is a bass-voiced six-pan instrument in a steel pan ensemble. The Six Bass pans are known for playing the bass part.

The layout of the Six Bass pans at Catonsville High School was invented by Ellie Mannette.
bottom of page