Instruments

All instruments used by the St. Thomas All Stars Steel Orchestra are percussions instruments. These Instruments are divided in to 2 Sections. The Sections are:

Steel Drums or Steel Pans

The main instruments are the steel drums also known as steel pans. After all with out them we won't be a steel band. Steel drums are made from 55 - gallon steel oil drums that have been heated, sunk, and then tuned. Steel pans come in various sizes and number of drums in a set, from the Tenor that has 1 drum cut to one fourth of a drum, to the six bass that uses 6 full size drums.

Engine Room

Engine Room is the name given to the group of instruments used to provide rhythm to the band. The name Engine Room was given to the rhythm section because it is the "engine" of the steel band. The Engine room is a very important part of any steel band. A good Engine Room can make an inferior steel band sound much better than a superior steel band with a bad engine room.