Calypso

• What is Calypso music?


  Calypso is a style of music from the Caribbean.
• How has Calypso music been influenced?


  It has been influenced by many different cultures.
• Where does Calypso music originate from?


  Calypso comes from Trinidad.
• What is the geographical location of Trinidad?


  Trinidad is the most southern island in the Caribbean, off the coast of Venezuela.
• Why couldn't African slaves communicate effectively in Trinidad?


  They couldn’t understand each other about their work.
• Which countries ruled Trinidad over the centuries?

  Trinidad came under the rule of Spain, France, and Britain.
• How did the cultures of Spain, France, and Britain influence Calypso music?


  Calypso music was influenced by the cultures of those countries, in addition to its African roots.
• What tradition did they bring to Trinidad that is still celebrated today?

  They brought the tradition of carnival to the island.
• When is the carnival held in Trinidad?


  A carnival is held each year before the start of Lent.
• What role does Calypso music play in the carnival?


  Calypso music is an important part of the carnival.
• Who had a major role in traditional Calypso songs?


  The bards had a major role in traditional Calypso songs.
• What topics did the bards tell stories about in their songs?


  They told stories about important topics such as social issues or politics.
• How were traditional Calypso lyrics often created?


  They used funny or mocking lyrics, often improvised.
• What is the current style of Calypso that involves improvisation?


  The style called extempore involves improvising lyrics to a well-known tune.
• What time signatures are commonly used in Calypso music?


  Calypso music is usually in $\frac{4}{4}$ or $\frac{2}{4}$ time.
• What type of rhythms does Calypso music use?


  Calypso music uses syncopated rhythms.
• What is the rhythmic pattern typically followed in Calypso music?


  The rhythms mostly follow a 2:3:2:2 pattern.
• What types of musical structures can Calypso songs have?


  Calypso songs can have a homophonic or a polyphonic structure.
• What is the texture of Calypso music?


  The texture can be homophonic or polyphonic.
• What instruments are commonly found in a Calypso band?


  A Calypso band can include acoustic, electric, and bass guitars, brass, woodwind, bongos, conga drums, claves, and other percussion instruments.
• What are claves in a Calypso band?


  Claves are a pair of wooden sticks that produce a clicking sound when hit together.
• What is the role of steel bands in Calypso music?


  A steel band might be used in Calypso music.
• How are steel pans played?


  Steel pans are played on tuned metal pans.
• What are steel pan players called?

  Steel pan players are called pannists.
• What is the shape of steel pans and how does it affect sound?

  Steel pans have a concave shape, and each dent is shaped to produce a certain note.
• How do the sizes of steel pans affect the notes they produce?


  The drums come in different sizes and shapes, affecting the pitch of the notes they produce.
• What is a soprano pan capable of?


  A soprano pan can be tuned to play a wide range of notes.
• How many pans does a bass pannist typically need?


  A bass pannist needs between four and six pans to cover the full range.
• What is a set of two baritone drums called?


  A set with two baritone drums is called a double seconds.
• How are steel pans played to create sustained notes?


  They can play sustained notes using tremolo or rolling.
• What is the effect of striking the pans harder?

  They can create dynamics depending on how hard they strike the pans.
• What types of music can steel bands play?


  Steel bands can play almost any kind of music, even popular music.
• How has Calypso music evolved over time?


  Calypso has been incorporated into other types of music, particularly RAPSO and SOCA.
• When did RAPSO first appear?


  RAPSO first appeared in Trinidad in the 1970s.
• What is the focus of RAPSO music?


  RAPSO focuses on speech along with the lyrics, usually performed in English.
• How does SOCA differ from traditional Calypso music?


  SOCA has a faster tempo and more of a dance beat than Calypso music.
• When did Calypso musicians begin using electronic instruments?


  Calypso musicians began using electronic instruments in the 1970s and 1980s.
• What types of instruments are used in SOCA music?


  SOCA music uses synthesized instruments and conduction techniques.