THE ROLL-UP DIGITAL STEELPAN

The steelpan (steel drum) is the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago. Over the years, there have been various innovations in the design of the steelpan, including new electronic versions. This paper presents an addition to the family of digital steelpan instruments in the form of a low-cost roll-up digital steelpan (similar to a roll-up piano or roll-up drum kit). The idea as conceptualized is to have a flexible surface with solid steelpan notes following the traditional circle of fifths pattern. The playing surface could then easily roll up for transport and storage. The design of the roll-up digital steelpan is presented together with results on initial testing with musicians. Plans for further development of the product are also discussed.