Calypso Steel Drum Package with Play-Along DVD and songbooklet.

As expected.

This product was just the right size for a beginning pan enthusiast to trial before we break the bank on a more serious drum. There was only one note that did not resonate with a lasting vibration. Other pan drums I have seen in person fall far short in sound quality to this drum. The songbook was appreciated and started my child off to creating her own compositions. I would include a more extensive songbook with this product.

The steel drum sound is "tinny" which I believe is the fault of the very inferior drumsticks. They are simply a skinny piece of sawed off wood with a not very thick rubber band twisted around the rough end. One gets either a thin sound of just a clunk unless the drum is hit exactly in the center of each indentation. I've never noticed the sticks on real steel drum sets but they can't be just a better "this." It's a shame, for want of a better stick, now I'm searching for an upgrade but can't find a separate buy of the sticks. Yes, the drum is small and a toy, but it's $80! The steel drum itself is attractive, durable, and the stand is solid. I want to give it to my grandson for Christmas but am sort of embarrassed to now.