After Care.
Keep all equipment dry and use a dry cloth to wipe off dust. Keep pans in their case when not in use.
Use the correct pan stick for each specific instrument. See photos and visit our YouTube @steelpanmusic6515 for short instructional videos.
Steel pans in regular use will require annual retuning checks. Our steel pans are hand-made by artisan craftsmen called Pan Tuners who are highly experienced. An annual retune and check will help maintain your steel pan instruments for many years.
Contact us for details of an appropriate Pan Tuner. If a pan becomes damaged or splits, contact the Pan Tuner to arrange a repair as soon as possible, to prevent damage worsening.
If you wish to recycle your steel pan instruments and equipment, please email us at hi@steelpanmusic.org.uk and we can arrange a discussion of your needs.
Storage and Safe Use.
Steel pan instruments must be stored in their cases when not in use. No weight should be left on the surface of a steel pan instrument as this can cause damage and impede the quality of the notes executed. If pans must be placed down, onto a table or the floor, first turn the pan ‘upside down’ so that the outer diameter rim of pan makes contact & takes the weight, NOT the tuned belly. Failure to protect the tuned note surface can damage the instrument, requiring retuning or repair. The playing surface of the steel pan instruments should only be struck by the appropriate sticks with rubber or foam heads. Sticks should be held loosely in the hand.
6 Bass pan instruments (full length) do not have cases and their playing surface can be covered by a dry cloth. If using a flat board cover ensure weight-bearing contact is with the instrument's outer diameter rim and not the tuned surface.
Steel pan instruments are suspended by hang ties. Clearly instruct students NOT to swing the pan on its stand as the instrument may fall causing injury and damage. Steel pan instruments can be heavy weighing from 5kg upwards and should be moved with care. Please refer to the Good Handling Technique below.
The feet on H Stands can be loosened & pivoted to store flat.
Acoustic instruments should not generate extremely high levels of sound. However, it is wise to consider ear protection, such as noise-cancelling headphones for children with sensitivities and for music teachers regularly exposed to the volumes generated by larger music ensembles.
Good Handling Technique for Lifting.
Please refer to the Health and Safety Executive for comprehensive guidance www.hse.gov.uk
Steel pan instruments can be heavy and so consider who can safely set-up and pack-down, before moving them.
There are some simple things to do before and during the lift/carry:
Remove obstructions from the route.
For a long lift, plan to rest the load midway on a table or bench to change grip.
Keep the load close to the waist. The load should be kept close to the body for as long as possible while lifting.
Keep the heaviest side of the load next to the body.
Adopt a stable position and make sure your feet are apart, with one leg slightly forward to maintain balance
Think before lifting/handling. Plan the lift. Can handling aids be used? Where is the load going to be placed? Will help be needed with the load? Remove obstructions such as discarded wrapping materials. For a long lift, consider resting the load midway on a table or bench to change grip.
Adopt a stable position. The feet should be apart with one leg slightly forward to maintain balance (alongside the load, if it is on the ground). Be prepared to move your feet during the lift to maintain your stability. Avoid tight clothing or unsuitable footwear, which may make this difficult.
Get a good hold. Where possible, the load should be hugged as close as possible to the body. This may be better than gripping it tightly with hands only.
Start in a good posture. At the start of the lift, slight bending of the back, hips and knees is preferable to fully flexing the back (stooping) or fully flexing the hips and knees (squatting).
Don’t flex the back any further while lifting. This can happen if the legs begin to straighten before starting to raise the load.
Keep the load close to the waist. Keep the load close to the body for as long as possible while lifting. Keep the heaviest side of the load next to the body. If a close approach to the load is not possible, try to slide it towards the body before attempting to lift it.
Avoid twisting the back or leaning sideways, especially while the back is bent. Shoulders should be kept level and facing in the same direction as the hips. Turning by moving the feet is better than twisting and lifting at the same time.
Keep the head up when handling. Look ahead, not down at the load, once it has been held securely.
Move smoothly. The load should not be jerked or snatched as this can make it harder to keep control and can increase the risk of injury.
Don’t lift or handle more than can be easily managed. There is a difference between what people can lift and what they can safely lift. If in doubt, seek advice or get help.
Put down, then adjust. If precise positioning of the load is necessary, put it down first, then slide it into the desired position.
Find instructional videos on our YouTube channel @steelpanmusic6515