Key learning points

1. Calypso and mento are important musical styles from the Caribbean that have their roots in colonial history.
2. While they have some similar features, there are big differences in lyrics, origins and instrumentation.
3. Soca is a repetitive, catchy upbeat style that developed from calypso in the 1970s as a form of dance music.
4. All three styles use some similar syncopated rhythms.
5. Steel pans are a key part of the culture of Trinidad and Tobago, and often perform calypso as well as other styles.

Keywords

• Calypso - Calypso is a style of music from Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean.

• Mento - Mento is a Jamaican style of music with many similarities to calypso.

• Soca - Soca (short for ‘soul of Calypso’) is an upbeat style that developed out of Calypso in the 1970s. It is often heard at carnival and used for dancing.

• Steel pans - Steel pans are pitched percussion instruments from Trinidad and Tobago. They come in different sizes/pitches and are often used in large bands.

Common misconception