How is the timpani played

Most modern timpani are pedal timpani and can be tuned quickly and accurately to specific pitches by skilled players through the use of a movable foot-pedal. They are played by striking the head with a specialized drum stick called a timpani stick or timpani mallet. ... A musician who plays timpani is a timpanist.

1. How does a timpani produce sound?
2. What notes do the timpani play?
3. Is the timpani hard to play?
4. How do you tune the timpani?

How does a timpani produce sound?

A skin (drumhead) is placed over the kettle-shaped body (shell) of the timpani, and the player uses a mallet to strike the drumhead. This causes the drumhead to vibrate, and the vibrations are transmitted to the shell to make the drum resonate with sound. ... This makes the timpani a pitched percussion instrument.

What notes do the timpani play?

In the majority of musical situations you will end up playing most of your timpani parts on these two drums. The range of the 29” drum can go from F up to D and the 26” drum can go from Bb to F#. With these pitches available you'll be able to play most two drum timpani parts.

Is the timpani hard to play?

Timpani playing is deceptively tricky. On the surface the rhythms are generally easy and usually you are asked to play only two notes. In these lessons I cover the basics like tuning, rolling and give you exercises that can help you develop these skills. ...

How do you tune the timpani?

of tuning the timpani. With your heel, press the pedal of each drum all the way down to the position of lowest pitch. At the same time gently press on the center of the head with the heel of the hand. This seems to iron out the head and yield more accurate tuning.