l l l special feature
special feature lll
The Steelband
engine room
The percussion section of a steelband commonly termed, ‘The Engine Room’ provides the timing for their musical rhythm. The engine room has its origins from the early tamboo bamboo groups, where they used the brake iron and bottle and spoon as their primary accompaniment.
Looking at the history of the steelband, a chap with the nickname “Mussel Rat” of the Gonzales Place tamboo bamboo band is credited with introducing the brake iron in the mid-1930s. The early steel bands adopted this tradition since many musicians transferred to the steel band when the tamboo bamboo was outlawed from Carnival. ‘Engine Room’ is a term used to describe the group of un-pitched percussion instruments that provide the rhythmic accompaniment for steelbands. This section may not be necessary for all genres of music, but it is a MUST when playing popular Caribbean genres, especially calypsos. The Engine Room comprises of a “core” set of instruments, including the brake iron (discarded vehicle brake drums), shac-shac (Maracas or shaker), scratcher (a metal guiro), toc-toc (claves), tambourines, cowbell or jam block struck with a beater, and bottle and spoon. In addition, the contemporary steel band also includes drum set, congas tuned in a standard fourths or fifths tuning, played with 40
winter 2009 Pan Podium
rubber tipped sticks, timbales and occasionally other instruments as part of the engine room. The brake iron is played with a metal rod to produce a high-pitched sound. The method of polyrhythm, interweaving of the rhythms, is particularly associated with the irons. The drum set is the “Cog” of the Engine Room that holds everything together with a solid beat. The Engine Room percussion instruments are generally non-tuned, although most brake irons are arranged in sets of lower and higher-pitched instruments for musical effect offering different relative pitches and tonal colors. Today, iron players prefer to get their irons specially made, chromed and “tuned” to their specifications. The irons are the heart of the steelband’s engine room, driving the rhythm of the whole band with their piercing ring. ‘Cutting’ (weaving between the highs and lows of the irons and also adding improvisations), has become very popular among Iron men giving them the freedom to add variety and life to the music.
The sound of the Engine Room is very captivating and somewhat deafening at times. Chipping down the road to a vibrant steelband’s engine room rhythmic beat on a jouvert morning is the ultimate experience of this important component of a steelband. The sheer fabric of steelband music is interwoven and dependant on its rhythmic component, their Engine Room. This style of music has progressed in Trinidad to the point where they now have a ‘Rhythm Rama’, an annual competition for Rhythm sections/Engine Rooms. It has also become a tradition to see and hear Rhythm sections/Engine Rooms in the spectator Stands (defunct North Stand) at Panorama competitions. “Rhythm” signals that the bacchanal has started. The Engine Room, drift with the rhythm of their music as they hypnotise your body whilst you enjoy their pulsating music.
Pan Podium winter 2009 41