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Evolution of a Steel Drum, Part 2 A steel drum continues its creative transformation through the processes of preparation and tuning. From "Handmade Music" episode DHMM-302

(Continued from page 1)

Figure A

Tuning

The final phase of building a steel drum is tuning. It's also the most critical and the hardest step to master. The most experienced members of the Mannette Steel Drum team are charged with this critical step.

• Before the notes can be checked for tuning, they must each be bubbled up again. So from underneath the drum several hammers and mallets are used to "pop" the note out once again (figure A).

• Each note receives blows based on its tuning. Some notes require heavier blows and some softer taps.

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	Figure B
	Figure C

All the previous work has led to this moment. Now the 55-gallon oil drum has individual notes that have their own shape and perfect tension. They're ready to be tuned.

• Each note receives a bit of fire on and around them (figure B). This step gives them more resiliency.

• Using a frequency gauge each note is worked with a hammer very slowly (figure C). Every adjustment made affects the other portions of the drum so it's important not to reach the desired tone too soon. The key is to get "close" at first and slowly bring each note into pitch.

Painting

Early in Ellie Mannette's career, painting a pan was almost an afterthought. He often used anything that was available to decorate the exterior of his instruments. But with perfection also the goal, Ellie has refined the method of finishing his drums.

• To begin finishing the instrument painter Mike Kelly masks the sides of the double second.

• A coat of primer is applied under the drum and then onto the playing surface of the instrument. The playing surface receives a couple coats of silver paint, but Mike has to be careful here because too much finish will affect the tuning.

• Next the sides of the double second get a coat of paint as well. This is usually the customer's preference although lately Mike has been getting more and more requests for custom designs.
  
  
  

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  GUESTS :
  

  Ellie Mannette and Chanler Bailey
  Mannette Steel Drums
  Morgantown, WV
  www.mannettesteeldrums.com

  Mike Kelly
  Pan Alley Painting
  Morgantown, WV
  E-mail: dulaneyoil@comcast.net

  RELATED PROJECTS: Handmade Gourd-Banjo, Part 1: Preparing the Gourd Body Handmade Gourd-Banjo, Part 2: Building the Neck Handmade Gourd-Banjo, Part 3: Shaping the Neck and Peg-Head Handmade Gourd-Banjo, Part 4: Pegs, Tail-Piece and Strings Old-Time Banjo, Part 1: Stock for Neck Old-Time Banjo, Part 2: The Neck and Fingerboard Old-Time Banjo, Part 3: Shaping the Neck Old-Time Banjo, Part 4: Banjo-Rim Basics Old-Time Banjo, Part 5: The Tone Ring Old-Time Banjo, Part 6: Internal Resonator Old-Time Banjo, Part 7: Dowel Stick and Rim Assembly Old-Time Banjo, Part 8: Dowel-Stick, Logo and Banjo Technique Old-Time Banjo, Part 9: Decorative Inlay and Engraving Old-Time Banjo, Part 10: Frets and Rim Completion Old-Time Banjo, Part 11: Sanding and Finishing the Neck Old-Time Banjo, Part 12: French Polish & Finis

  
  

  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Evolution of a Steel Drum, Part 2