The G-Pan is actually a family of steelpans that significantly improve upon traditional steelpans which were developed over time in an ad hoc fashion. These improvements include:
1. an extension of note range across the family of G-Pans,
2. a consequent reduction in the minimum number of steelpans required to effectively cover the steelpan musical range from eleven to four,
3. Rationalisation and minimisation of note layout styles. Currently we use the 4ths and 5ths layout on 1-, 3-, and 6-pans and the whole tone on the 2-pan ( a 4-pan was also referred to in the patent but not used in the current line up)
4. the use of a compound design approach whereby individual component parts of the instrument, specifically the playing surface, chime (rim), rear attachment (skirt) are optimized for their specific function ….
5. Particular mention must be made of the fact that the playing surface of the G-Pan is made from high grade steel of which the two tuners on the project, Roland Harrigin and Birch Kellman, are high in praise. The result is an instrument that has high musical accuracy and definition, wide musical range, excellent sound projection and improved signal to noise ratio.
6. The G-Pan incorporates the use of a variety of techniques for eliminating or reducing annoying non-musical sympathetic vibrations (noise) that detract from the purity of the musical sound of the instrument.
