Abstract:
A system for digitizing a series of notes to be played on a steel pan/drum includes a processor, and a display device and an input device in signal communication with the processor. Software encoded on a computer-readable medium and installable on the processor has a code segment adapted to display a virtual keyboard on the display device. The keyboard has a plurality of pianistically arranged keys, each key having a note name corresponding to a pitch represented by the key imposed thereon. A code segment can receive a user selection via the input device of a pan instrument for which music is desired to be entered, retrieve a note range for the selected pan instrument, and electronically mask the virtual keyboard to exclude keys outside the retrieved note range. User input can be received for a series of notes to be encoded for playing on the selected pan instrument.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to music notational systems, and, in particular, to music notation systems and methods for steel pans/drums. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The steel pan was created during the late 1930s in Trinidad and Tobago as a rudimentary percussion instrument capable of producing one or two notes not tuned to any particular pitch, and used mainly for rhythm. Since then it has developed into a family of instruments that can form a steel band, made up of a mix of single and multiple pan members that are tuned to concert pitch and together cover a frequency range of some six (6) chromatic octaves (Pan@Dove of the Desert UMC History of the Steel Pan). 
         [0003]    Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia (www.wikipedia.org/wiki/steelpan), explains that, technically, the steel pan is a pitched percussion instrument, tuned chromatically, made from a drum of the type that stores oil. In fact, “drum” refers to the steel drum container from which the pans are made; the steel drum is correctly called a steel pan or pan, as it falls into the idiophone family of instruments, and is not technically regarded as a drum or membraphone. Steel pans are constructed by pounding the top of the oil drum into a bowl-like shape, known as “sinking” the drum. The drum is tempered over a fire until it is “white hot” and is allowed to cool. Then the notes are laid out, shaped, grooved, and tuned with a variety of hammers and other tools. The note&#39;s size corresponds to the pitch; the larger the oval note pad, the lower the tone. 
         [0004]    The frequency range of some members of the steel pan family is shown in Table 1. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Frequency Range of Some Members of the Steel Pan Family 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Instrument 
                 Number of Pans 
                 Frequency Range 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1. 
                 High Tenor 
                 1 
                 D 4  to F #   6   
               
               
                 2. 
                 Low Tenor 
                 1 
                 C 4  to E 6   
               
               
                 3. 
                 Double Second 
                 2 
                 F #   3  to D 5   
               
               
                 4. 
                 Double Tenor 
                 2 
                 F 3  to A 5   
               
               
                 5. 
                 Double Guitar 
                 2 
                 C 3  to G 4   
               
               
                 6. 
                 Triple Cello 
                 3 
                 C 3  to B 4   
               
               
                 7. 
                 Four Cello 
                 4 
                 B 2  to C 5   
               
               
                 8. 
                 Quadraphonic 
                 4 
                 B 2  to D 6   
               
               
                 9. 
                 Tenor Bass 
                 4 
                 F 2  to D 4   
               
               
                 10. 
                 Six Bass 
                 6 
                 B b   1  to E 3   
               
               
                 11. 
                 Nine Bass 
                 9 
                 A 1  to B 3   
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0005]    The steel pan is currently enjoying tremendous popularity and acceptance as a valid art form on every continent and in almost every country, including the United States, United Kingdom, and continental Europe, Africa, Australia, the Caribbean states, China, and Japan. However, the advances in design and popularity have not been accompanied by a matching development in music writing ability. The vast majority of pan players continue to learn by rote, because they have little or no formal training in music. Thus, it takes a long time to master a piece, and the player quite often cannot recall what was learned from long hours of practice because the music has not been documented in a form that can be used as a reference. Further, while music is being generated by pan musicians, they do not yet have a means of writing it down (P. Bishop,  Pan in Education,  2004, www.ecaroh.com/pan/steelpaneducation.htm). 
         [0006]    A tablature system would permit preservation and critical study. This lack of music notation restricts the opportunities for composers/arrangers to transmit ideas except via face-to-face demonstration or instruction. It also affects their ability to archive their musical ideas as they occur, and retrieve them when necessary. The result is that much of the music is remembered only in part or is lost forever, and a significant amount of time is wasted during practice sessions while composers/arrangers attempt to create music “on the fly.” 
         [0007]    At present, some musical scores are available as audio (wave) files and/or digital recordings accompanied by sheet music in standard notation. However, while standard notation tells the trained musician everything there is to know about the music to be played, it provides no visual clues to the untrained pan player about how and where to find the correct note and pitch on the pan. 
         [0008]    Steel pan players typically know about sharps, flats, key signatures, time signatures, scales, chords, octaves, and the like, and they know the note names (e.g., C, E b , G # , B, F # , B b , etc.), but many have not fully developed the ability to decipher the symbols of standard notation. Consequently, instruction by an arranger, musical director, or section leader is mostly verbal, using note names, and by practical demonstration. These shortcomings notwithstanding, the process has produced magnificent performances of popular and classical music, even though many of the most highly accomplished and internationally renowned exponents of the art form have learned the music by rote. 
         [0009]    Some existing systems attempt to add “note names” to sheet music in standard notation. However, even with these aids, untrained musicians still have difficulty determining pitch, and pan players are frequently unable to associate the notes indicated in standard notation with a physical location on the instrument. 
         [0010]    Thus, what is missing is the capacity to score music in a form that is understandable to trained and untrained musicians alike, and to provide hard copy for archival purposes. This absence of a common musical language restricts opportunities for fruitful collaboration between pan players, and between pan players and other musicians. 
         [0011]    Standard musical notation is geared to the piano. It is written on, below, and above two five-line staffs starting with the lowest notes on the bottom left and continuing upward to represent the notes in the chromatic scales A 0  to C 7 , following the arrangement of notes on the standard piano keyboard. The “grand staff” has the lower notes associated with the bass clef, generally intended to be played with the left hand, and the higher notes associated with the treble clef, generally intended to be played with the right hand. 
         [0012]    Various systems of tablature have been developed over the centuries for string or plucked instruments. In the case of the six-string guitar, the system of tablature (TAB) uses a six-line staff to represent the guitar fretboard on which pitch increases as one moves from fret #1 to fret #12. Fret numbers are entered on the staff to tell the guitar player where to stop which strings, in which combinations, and in what sequence, to produce the desired music. 
         [0013]    By themselves, and in their present form, none of these systems provides a complete answer for the pan player. It would therefore be desirable to provide a tablature system and method of use for steel pan music. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present invention is directed to a system that is intuitive and easy for pan players to understand and apply, and that allows composers/arrangers to create, edit, and archive pan music by combining note names with a new musical staff derived from the physical characteristics of the instruments in the steel pan family. 
         [0015]    The pan tablature (pan tab) system displays pan tab notation, with or without also displaying the equivalent standard notation; permits the creation of sheet music for archiving musical scores and supplementing learning by rote; makes pan players more familiar with the rudiments of standard notation and develop the desire to pursue formal musical training; and facilitates and encourages greater collaboration between pan players and other musicians. 
         [0016]    A particular embodiment of the invention is directed to a tablature system for representing a series of notes to be played on a steel pan/drum having a plurality of concentric rings of note pads, wherein each note pad is capable of producing a distinct musical pitch when struck. The tablature system comprises a staff having three horizontal lines positioned atop, and in spaced relation from, each other, a first line representing a center ring of note pads, a second line positioned above the first line representing an inner ring of note pads, and a third line positioned above the second line representing an outer ring of note pads. In an alternate embodiment, this order can be reversed. 
         [0017]    For each note pad to be represented, a rhythmic indicator is provided that is positioned adjacent the horizontal line commensurate with the ring on which the note pad to be represented lies. For each note pad to be represented, a note name is provided that corresponds to the note pad to be represented, the note name adjacent the respective rhythmic indicator. 
         [0018]    The tablature system can also be used to represent a series of notes to be played on a bass pan set, wherein each pan has a plurality of note pads, each note pad capable of producing a distinct musical pitch when struck. The tablature system again comprises a pan staff having three horizontal staff lines positioned atop, and in spaced relation from, each other. Here a first staff line represents the first of three pads on each pan, a second staff line positioned above the first staff line represents the second of the three pads on each pan, and a third staff line positioned above the second staff line represents the third of the three pads on each pan. 
         [0019]    The rhythmic indicator and note name placement are as above. 
         [0020]    Also contemplated by the present invention is a device for entering and editing representations of a series of notes to be played on a steel pan/drum, for printing sheet music in the tablature of the invention, and for providing midi or other electronic output for use with third-party music notation software. The device comprises a processor, a display, and an input and an output device in signal communication with the processor. 
         [0021]    Software is resident on the processor, or can be introduced thereonto via a computer-readable medium, that has code segments adapted to display a representation of a steel pan having a plurality of concentric rings of note pads, or of a bass pan set as described above. A user selection can be received via the input of a series of notes to be played on the steel pan(s). The user-selected note series can be displayed on the display, used to create sheet music in the tablature of the invention, and produce midi or other electronic output for other use with third-party music notation software as described above. 
         [0022]    Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a tool for assisting in teaching music to a player of a steel pan/drum. The tool comprises a substantially circular base divided into twelve radial sectors, a central sector, and three concentric, radially spaced rings, thereby having 37 elements. Each element bears an indicium representative of a unitary, distinct note name in a range of three consecutive octaves plus a first note in a fourth consecutive octave. Each ring is arranged so that a counter-clockwise-adjacent note name is separated by an interval of a fifth and a clockwise-adjacent note name is separated by an interval of a fourth. 
         [0023]    A further aspect of the present invention is directed to a four-octave double soprano steel pan set. The double soprano pan set comprises a first pan and a second pan. Each pan is divided into three concentric rings and six radial sectors. An outermost of the three rings is further radially divided into two portions, to form twenty-four note pads. Each note pad is adapted to produce a distinct musical pitch when struck. Each of the radial sectors has four note pads therein, the four note pads in each of the radial sectors in octave relation to each other. Thus the twelve total radial sectors of the first and the second pan contain the notes sufficient to span four octaves. 
         [0024]    The features that characterize the invention, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description used in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. It is to be expressly understood that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. These and other objects attained, and advantages offered, by the present invention will become more fully apparent as the description that now follows is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  (prior art) illustrates the layout of a low tenor pan. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  (prior art) illustrates the layout of a six-bass pan set. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 3A-3E  are examples of the pan tab notation of the present invention for use with steel pans/drums containing a plurality of concentric rings of note pads ( FIGS. 3A and 3B ) and with bass pan sets ( FIGS. 3C and 3C ).  FIG. 3E  includes representations of rhythmic indicators of the pan tab notation. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary orchestral pan tab score format. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of a device for entering, editing, and outputting music in the tablature of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a tear-away view of a low tenor pan representing a MIDI keyboard with notes in drum order. 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a tear-away view of a low tenor pan representing a MIDI keyboard with notes in chromatic order. 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is an image of a virtual MIDI keyboard with a low tenor pan mask. 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is an image of a virtual MIDI keyboard with a six-bass pan set mask. 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram of a 37-note fourths and fifths music teaching tool. 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  is an image of a virtual MIDI keyboard with a 37-note fourths and fifths music teaching tool mask. 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  illustrates a layout for a double soprano pan set. 
           [0037]      FIG. 13  is an image of a virtual MIDI keyboard with a double soprano mask. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0038]    A description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be presented with reference to  FIGS. 1-13 . 
         [0039]    The pan tablature (pan tab) system is derived from the physical characteristics of the pan, and the arrangement of notes on the playing surface. Two exemplary pan arrangements are illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0040]    In  FIG. 1  a low tenor pan layout  10  is illustrated as having three concentric rings  11 - 13  of note pads  14 , wherein each note pad  14  is capable of producing a distinct musical pitch when struck. In this arrangement, a center ring  11  of note pads  14  containing the notes C 6  through F 6 ; an inner ring  12  containing the notes C 5  through B 5 ; and an outer ring  13  containing the notes C 4  through B 4 . Lower notes are represented toward the outside, since they require greater surface area. 
         [0041]    In  FIG. 2  a six-bass pan set  15  is illustrated, comprising six pans  16 - 21 . Each pan  16 - 21  has three note pads, each representing a different pitch value ranging from B b   1  through E b   3 . Generally, each pan  16 - 21  will contain a first note pad  22  capable of producing a first musical pitch when struck, a second pad  23  capable of producing a second musical pitch an octave above the first musical pitch when struck, and a third pad  24  capable of producing a third musical pitch intermediate between the first and the second musical pitch when struck. The third musical pitch is typically a fourth or fifth between the octave pair. 
         [0042]    In this arrangement, the first note pads  22  range chromatically from B b   1  through E b   2 ; the second note pads  23  range chromatically from B b   2  through E b   3 ; and the third note pads  23  range chromatically from E 2  through A 2 . It will be understood by one of skill in the art that variations on these layouts can occur, and that the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particular arrangement illustrated and described herein. 
         [0043]    Four exemplary sequences  30 , 230 ; 31 , 231  of music notated in the tablature systems of the present invention are displayed in  FIGS. 3A-3D . The sequences  30 , 230  can be used with a tenor pan such as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , although this is not intended as limiting, and can be used with any multi-ring pan. 
         [0044]    In the embodiment  30  of  FIG. 3A , a G-clef staff system  32  such as known in the art of musical notation is positioned atop a pan staff  33  of the present invention. The G-clef staff system  32  is populated by the series of notes  34  to be played. The pan staff  33  comprises, prior to a first measure of music  35 , and beneath the key  36  and time  37  signatures of the G-clef staff system  32 , a letter representation (“key name”)  38  of the key signature and the time signature  39 . Measure lines  40 , 41  as known in the art are present in both staff systems  32 , 33 . 
         [0045]    The pan staff  33  has three horizontal lines  42 - 44  positioned atop, and in spaced relation from, each other. A first (bottom) line  42  represents the center ring  11  of note pads  14 ; a second (middle) line  43  positioned above the first line  42  represents the inner ring  12  of note pads  14 ; and a third (top) line  44  positioned above the second line  43  represents the outer ring  13  of note pads  14 . 
         [0046]    In this example, for each note pad  14  to be represented, a vertical stem line  45  is provided that has a top end  46  that terminates adjacent the horizontal line  42 - 44  commensurate with the ring  11 - 13  on which the note pad  14  to be represented lies. For each note pad  14  to be represented, a note name  47  is provided that corresponds to the note pad  14  to be represented, the note name  47  positioned above the respective stem line  45 . Each note pad  14  represented on the pan staff  33  is positioned in vertical alignment with its corresponding note  34  in the G-clef staff  32  musical notation. 
         [0047]    Additional notational features are similar to those used in standard musical notation. For example, for adjacent eighth notes  48  to be beamed  49  together, a beam  50  extends between bottom ends  51  of the corresponding stem lines  45 . A dot  52  is placed adjacent a bottom end  51  of the stem line  45  for representing a dotted rhythm  53 . A unitary stem line  54  can be used to represent a quarter note  55 , and a horizontal line  56  adjacent a bottom end  57  of the stem line  54  can be used to represent an eighth note  58  rhythm. A symbol  59  representative of a rest  60 , and corresponding to standard musical notation, can additionally be used, wherein each symbol  59  is accompanied by verbiage  61  that defines the meaning of the symbol  59 . A list of rhythmic indicators is provided on  FIG. 3E , including additional symbols for whole notes, comprising the note name  47  in a circle  250 ; half notes, comprising the note name  47  in a circle  251  with a stem line  252  depending therefrom; and a triplet designation  253 , with the note names  47  beneath the stem lines  254 . 
         [0048]    The pan staff  33  further permits the representation of chords (multiple note pads  14  struck simultaneously). In one case a chord  62  comprises two notes  63 , 64  to be played simultaneously wherein the two notes  63 , 64  correspond to two note pads  14  on a common ring  11 - 13 . Here the two note names  66 , 65  corresponding to the two note pads  14  to be represented are positioned in stacked relation above the respective stem line&#39;s top end  67 . In another case a chord  68  comprises two notes  69 , 70  that correspond to two note pads  14  on different rings  11 - 13 . Here the vertical stem line&#39;s top end  71  terminates adjacent the lower staff line  43  to be populated between the two notes, and the note names  72 , 73  corresponding to the two note pads  14  to be represented are positioned in stacked relation, each note name  72 , 73  above the respective staff  43 , 44 . 
         [0049]    An alternate mode  230  ( FIG. 3B ) of representation is substantially the reverse of that  30  above. Here, the pan staff  233  has three horizontal lines  242 - 244  positioned atop, and in spaced relation from, each other. A first (top) line  242  represents the center ring  11  of note pads  14 ; a second (middle) line  243  positioned below the first line  242  represents the inner ring  12  of note pads  14 ; and a third (bottom) line  244  positioned below the second line  243  represents the outer ring  13  of note pads  14 . The remaining notational details remain substantially the same. 
         [0050]    A sequence  31  for a bass pan set, for example, a six-bass pan set  15  adapted for playing a chromatic series of  18  notes such as shown in  FIG. 2  is illustrated in  FIG. 3C . In this variation of the tablature system, the same pan staff comprising three horizontal staff lines  42 - 44  is provided, each staff line  42 - 44  for representing a set of note pads in chromatic sequence. Here the first (top) staff line  42  represents a sequence of six notes from B b   1  through E b   2 ; the second (middle) staff line  43  represents a sequence of six notes from B b   2  through E b   3 , that is, an octave up from those on the top staff line  42 ; the third (bottom) staff line  44  represents a sequence of six notes from E 2  through A 2 . 
         [0051]    Again, as above, for each note pad to be represented, a rhythmic indicator is positioned adjacent the staff line in the set of which the note pad belongs, and for each note pad to be represented, a note name corresponding to the note pad to be represented is positioned adjacent the respective rhythmic indicator. 
         [0052]    In an alternate embodiment  231  of the invention, usable for a bass pan set  15  such as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the staff lines  242 - 244  represent notes in pitch order. The first (top) line  242  represents a sequence of six notes from B b   2  through E b   3 ; the second (middle) staff line  243  represents a sequence of six notes from E 2  through A 2 ; and the third (bottom) line  244  represents a sequence of six notes from B b   1  through E b   2 . 
         [0053]    It will be understood by one of skill in the art that any configuration of one or more pans can be accommodated with the notation of the present invention, simply by defining a set of notes to be represented on each staff line and creating scores based upon that definition, and that the invention is not intended to be limited to these particular exemplary embodiments. 
         [0054]    An orchestral score format  100  ( FIG. 4 ) can also be contemplated, wherein a plurality of stacked pan staffs  33  are provided, one for each of the types of pans or pan systems. Again, a standard keyboard staff  101  is provided, comprising a G-  102  and an F-clef  103  staff. 
         [0055]    Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a system, device, and method for entering and editing representations of a series of notes to be played on a steel pan/drum ( FIG. 5 ), and for printing music sheets using the tablature system as described above. In a particular embodiment, the device  120  comprises a processor  121 , a display, and input and output devices in signal communication with the processor  121 . Preferably the display is segmented into two areas, a first  122  comprising a top, display-only portion and a second  122 ′ comprising a bottom, display and touch screen portion serving as an input. The device  120  preferably further comprises a sound card  123  and speakers  124  that are in signal communication with the processor  121 . Alternatively, the device  120  can output a signal via an output jack  143  for being played through a headset or into a digital recording device, for example. 
         [0056]    Software  125  can be resident on, or introduced onto, the processor  121  that has code segments adapted to display a representation  126  of any steel pan, such as that having three concentric rings  127 - 129  as discussed above, or other plurality of concentric rings, or of a bass pan set as described above, or any other configuration of steel pan. A user selection can be received via the touch screen  122  using a stylus  130  of a series of notes  131  to be played on the steel pan(s). The user-selected note series  131  can be displayed on the display device with a tablature system  132 , for example, in concert with the series as described above, and can also be played through the speakers  124 . Other input elements such as known in the art can also be included, such as direction buttons  133 , key indicators  134 , time signature indicators  135 , note duration indicators  136 , and rest indicators  137 . 
         [0057]    Other methods of entering a series of notes into the processor  121  can include using a microphone  138  to capture an audio file and providing software  139  resident on, or introduced onto, the processor  121  for directly translating the audio file into the tablature system  132  of the present invention. In other embodiments, software  140  could be provided that could read an input scanned file of standard musical notation and convert the scanned file into the tablature  132  of the present invention. 
         [0058]    Additionally, MIDI or other electronic output files can be provided via an output device  141  for use, for example, with third-party music notation software. Further, a signal input  142  in signal communication with the processor  121  can be used to introduce music files to the processor  121  for displaying, editing, and playing. Such a feature permits composers and arrangers the freedom to create and edit scores using the elements of the present invention in means known in the art, on site or remote from a particular practice or performance setting. 
         [0059]    Other input means may also be envisaged in the present invention. For example, views of pans  150 , 151  such as in  FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate a note palette for any instrument in the pan family, and resemble a keyboard when viewed thus. In this embodiment, the representations  150 , 151  each comprise a toroidal section divided into a plurality of annular sectors  154 , and the annular sectors  154  are divided into a plurality of radial sectors  155 . Each sector contains a note name indicium  156 . A range of the note name indicia  156  comprising note names in a range corresponding to a note range of a steel pan being represented. The note pads  152  can appear in drum order ( FIG. 6 ), as they appear on the actual instrument, or they can appear in chromatic order  153  ( FIG. 7 ). 
         [0060]    An input means can include a virtual keyboard  160 , 161  such as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Here the note names  162  are provided on the key images  163 , and a “mask”  164 , 165  covers that part of the keyboard  160 , 161  that is outside the range of the instrument being represented. For example, the mask  164  in  FIG. 8  for the low tenor pan only permits entry in the note range C 4  through E 6 . The mask  165  in  FIG. 9  for the six-bass pan set only permits entry in the range B b   1  to E 3 . 
         [0061]    The system also permits the printing of sheet music in the tablature of the invention, and further provide MIDI or other electronic output for use, for example, with third-party music notation software. 
         [0062]    Another aspect of the present invention is directed to the establishment of a “37-note fourths and fifths” music teaching tool  190  ( FIG. 10 ). The tool  190 , which can comprise a physical entity or an electronic display, comprises a substantially circular base  191  that is divided into twelve radial sectors  192 , a central sector  193 , and three concentric, radially spaced rings  194 - 196 . These divisions thereby create 37 elements  197 . Each element  198  bears an indicium representative of a unitary, distinct note name comprising a letter indicator  199  (e.g., C) and a numerical octave indicator  200  (e.g., a subscript “4”). The 37 elements  198  thereby represent a range including three consecutive octaves of notes, plus a first note in a fourth consecutive octave. The elements  198  are in this embodiment enclosed in an oval-shaped indicium  201 . 
         [0063]    In this particular embodiment, each ring  194 - 196  represents one octave, with the outermost ring  196  having the lowest octave (here, “4”), the middle ring  195  has the next-highest octave (here, “5”), the innermost ring  194  has the next-highest octave (here, “6”), and the central sector  193  indicium represents the first note in the next-highest octave, which is the highest note in the range (here, C 7 ). 
         [0064]    Each ring  194 - 196  is arranged so that an adjacent note name in a first radial direction, here, counter-clockwise, is separated by an interval of a fifth and an adjacent note name in a second radial direction opposite the first radial direction, here, clockwise, is separated by an interval of a fourth, as in the so-called “cycle of fifths” known in the art. 
         [0065]    The tool  190  further comprises additional indicia positioned external a periphery  202  of the base  191  and adjacent an element  198  of the outermost ring  196 . Twelve indicia  203  indicate a relative minor key of a key represented by a note name in the adjacent element. Twelve indicia  204  also indicate a set of one or more accidentals (e.g., “B b ”; or, in the key of C, none) in a key represented by the note name  199 , 200  in the adjacent element  198 . Twelve indicia  205  further indicate a number and type of accidentals in the key represented by the adjacent note name  199 , 200  (e.g., “2 Sharps”; for the key of C, there is an indication of “0 Sharps/Flats”). 
         [0066]    The tool  190  can be useful for teaching music, since octaves are radially adjacent, and scales can be played using common subscripts, moving clockwise or counter-clockwise depending upon whether one wishes to proceed in descending or ascending order. Key signatures are also easily learned, associating the keys with each note pad. The relative minor can also be found by moving three notes counter-clockwise from the note name of the major key. Chord structure can also be taught by illustrating, for example, the positioning of triads. 
         [0067]    A corresponding virtual MIDI keyboard representation  171  is illustrated in  FIG. 11 , showing the same range of C 4  through C 7 , and a mask  172  “covering” the remaining keys. 
         [0068]    In another embodiment, the arrangement of notes in the music teaching tool can be reversed to allow the playing of scales in descending order by moving counter-clockwise, and in ascending order by moving clockwise. 
         [0069]    Yet a further aspect of the present invention contemplates a four-octave double soprano pan set  180  ( FIG. 12 ). In this set, the pitches range from a lowest note  181  (C 4 ) through a highest note  182  (B 7 ). Each pan contains 24 note pads  183  arranged in three concentric rings  184 , 186 . Each pan is further arranged in six radial sectors  187  of 60 degrees each. Each sector  187  comprises a center note pad  188  on the center ring  186 , an inner note pad  189  on the inner ring  185 , and two outer note pads  190 , 191  on the outer ring  184 . These four note pads  188 - 191  are related as octaves, i.e., one sector  187  contains B b   4  and B b   5  in the outer ring  184 , B b   6  in the inner ring  185 , and B b   7  in the center ring  186 . 
         [0070]    The double soprano pan set  180  provides an improvement in tonal range over, for example, the low tenor steel pan, with a range of C 4 -F 6 . This increase in tonal range is achievable without loss in sound quality because each pan in the double soprano pan set  180  has five fewer notes than the low tenor pan  10  of equal dimensions, allowing more surface area to be allocated to notes in the higher tonal ranges, for example, C 7 -B 7 . 
         [0071]    A tablature system for use with this set  180  can be applied in two ways, similar to those described above for the low tenor pan, each method chromatic. In a first method, the top line would be used to represent the chromatic range C 4  through B 5 ; the middle line, C 5  through B 6 ; and the bottom line, C 7  through B 7 . In a second method, the order is reversed, with the bottom line used to represent the chromatic range C 4  through B 5 ; the middle line, C 5  through B 5 ; and the top line, C 7  through B 7 . A corresponding virtual MIDI keyboard representation  181  ( FIG. 13 ) and mask  182  can be used for the double soprano pan set  180 . 
         [0072]    In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such words are used for description purposes herein and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the embodiments of the apparatus illustrated and described herein are by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction. 
         [0073]    Having now described the invention, the construction, the operation and use of preferred embodiments thereof, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained thereby, the new and useful constructions, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.