Calypso
Basic Information
Calypso music is from Trinidad and Tobago - a twin island nation in the Caribbean. The music and the lyrics in Calypso music are equally as important as each other. The lyrics in a Calypso song tell a story, often commenting on society and social issues.
There are two types of Calypso ensemble - One type of Ensemble uses a typical 'band' arrangement with instruments such as drums, bass, guitar and vocals etc. The other type of ensemble is known as a Steel Band (or Steel Pan Band). You need to know about both for your exam. Press play on the YouTube video to hear a Calypso song.
Typical Features of Calypso Music
If Calypso music comes up in your exam you might get asked to list typical features of this style of music If you get this question, the following features are ideal answers.
TOP TIP: you will not have to explain these features in your exam. Single worded answers are fine for this type of question.
TOP TIP: if you are asked to list features of a style of music, there is usually a maximum of two marks for just identifying instruments. It wont say this on the exam paper but it usually says it in the mark scheme, so you need to list musical features not just instrument names.
Syncopated Rhythm
We learnt about syncopation when we looked at Israeli music. The syncopated rhtyhm in Calypso music is what gives the music its relaxed and chilled out feel. The chords will be played off beat - e.g. 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
Major Tonality
Calypso music is written using a Major tonality. It uses simple, diatonic harmony (usually using just primary chords).
Simple Harmony
Calypso music uses simple, diatonic harmony (usually using just primary chords).
Verse and Chorus Structure
Just like Western Pop music, Calypso uses a verse and chorus structure, with the chorus repeating throughout the song. There may also be instrumental sections.
Instrumental Sections
This is just another name for a solo! Calypso music will have instrumental sections, just like certain types of Western Pop music. These instrumental sections will be largely improvised.
Simple Melody
Calypso music will use a simple melody, which will use short, repeated phrases. The melody will most likely use syncopation and have a narrow range of notes. It is not uncommon for Calypso music to use call and response within a melody, either between the main singer and backing singers or between the vocals and instruments (call and response is a melodic device).
Either 2 or 4 Beats Per Bar
The time signature will either be 2/4 or 4/4. The mark scheme will usually give a mark for either of these answers.
Homophonic Texture
Calypso music uses a melody and accompaniment arrangement, meaning it uses a Homophonic texture.
Steel Band (or Steel Pans)
This is another type of Calypso music. A Steel Pan Band consists of a group of percussion instruments, made from oil drums (Steel Pans). The Drums have raised dimples inside them, in various sizes, which produce different musical notes. The drums themselves also come in different sizes.
A Steel Band will normally perform instrumental arrangements of Calypso and popular songs. Press play on the YouTube video to hear an example of a Steel Band.
Steel Pans
Steel Pans come in different sizes. Different size Steel Pans will be used for different purposes within a Steel Band.
Small Pans - High Pitched. These are used to perform the melody. If there are multiple performers responsible for performing the melody, this will be done eiher in unison or in harmony.
Medium Pans - These are used to create the chords within a performance. Performers will often hold more than one beater, allowing them to play more than one note at the same time. This provides the accompaniment.
Large Pans - Low Pitch. These are used to perform the bass line.
Performers will use technoques such as tremelo when playing steel pans. This is when they play the same note in quick succession using more than one beater. It gives a rolling effect.
Steel Bands will have the same main musical features as other types of Calypso music, such as...
Syncopation
Using mainly primary chords
Simple melodies with repeated phrases
Further Listening
You can listen to more examples of Calypso Music by pressing play on the YouTube videos. Can you hear any of the features listed above?