TIMPANI ********************************

Basics

MALLETS
*Materials*
Shaft
BambooLight and strong; difficult to match pairs WoodEasy to match; THIN can vibrate & THICK can be too heavy

Core
Woodbright attack Feltwarm attack Other: Cork; Leather; Masking Tape

Covering
Pressed feltused on most mallets; various harnesses and thicknesses Billiard Clothused on hard mallets Chamois or Leatherused on extra hard mallets None

*Weight*
Overall weightHEAVY mallets produce a dark/thick sound while LIGHT
mallets produce a bright/thin sound. Also, heavy mallets tend to sound softer. Proportional weightsticks that are evenly balanced produce a lot of contact sound; sticks that hold most of their weight at the striking end produce more drum sound.

*Quality Matters!!*
It is difficult to produce good sounds with mass produced sticks. (Although this kind of stick can be improved drastically with a better wrapping job) Buy a few pairs of the best quality stick you can afford and take good care of them. (This means: No rim shots! No playing on quads! Keep them in plastic bags or a case when not in use!)

*Variety*
Suggested strategy for buying timpani sticks 1st General (medium hard) 2nd Hard or Very Hard 3rd Soft or Very soft 4th Hard end of the spectrum (fill a gap) 5th Soft end of the spectrum (fill a gap) 6th Wood (uncovered) Then Fill gaps as needed

STROKES
*Grip*
Germansame as matched snare drum grip; dark sound that emphasizes
fundamental pitch. FrenchThumb on top; wrist rotates, allowing for a high lift off drum; brighter sound with more harmonics

*Lift*
Up & Downpiston stroke; each stroke begins and ends in same position
above the drum, following the natural rebound of the stick off the drum. Wrist-basedwrists move sticks; arms move wrists to proper location.

*Articulation*
LegatoRelaxed, NATURAL REBOUND stroke. Strive for this most of the
time!!

StaccatoRelaxed, FAST stroke with slightly more finger contact on stick.

Use this for staccato, accented, or very fast rhythmic figures.

*Rolls*
Definitiona sustained tone on a percussion instrument. Executiona succession of quick, even strokes

*Practice techniques*
Metronomethe most important practice tool you can own! Buy the best
one you can afford.

Timpani Practice Pad & Mirror:

One drum set-up for a timpano practice pad
MIRROR

TOWEL

MUFFLING and MUTING

MUFFLING
(a.k.a. dampening)

*Technique*
FingertipsUse as many fingertips as are available; No palms! FirmPush the head firmly to stop vibrations quickly. RhythmMuffle on a specific beat or sub-division. Misc.-Muffle in the playing spot with opposite hand, when possible.

*When to use*
1.) At the end of a phrase or movement when the entire ensemble also cuts off together:

2.) When playing unison notes with other instruments in the ensemble:

3.) To clarify a diminution in dynamic:

4.) To clarify notes successive notes that are close intervals:

*Tricky Situations*
Most of the time, timpanists must their judgment, listening skills, and musicianship to decide whether or not to muffle. Timpani sound best when allowed to ring. When in doubtDO NOT MUFFLE!

MUTING
(a.k.a. sordino, coperto, covered)

This technique is usually used when it is requested by the composer. It can also be used at the players discretion in order to achieve rhythmic clarity.

TUNING SCHEMES and TECHNIQUES

*Ranges* 29

26

20
Piccolo

32

23

*Ranges vary depending on make and model as well as the condition and age of the drum and head. Drums that will not hold pitches in their normal range may require repair or adjustment.

*Tuning Schemes*
Principles
Tune pitches to largest drum available. Choose tuning scheme based on sound quality, not convenience. Mark your tunings clearly

*Technique*
Process
Hear pitch from tuning fork/pitch pipe/vibraphone Tap with fingernot stick Tune up to pitch Listen and fine tune, if necessary Always be willing to adjust!

(Tuning technique continued)

Practice
Learn basic intervals Practice singing intervals at keyboard/piano/vibraphone Use intervals to tune timpani and CHECK YOURSELF with the vibes!

*Gauges*
Tuning gauges are a useful and important tool. Like all tools, gauges can be dangerous when used incorrectly! Keep in mind the following ideas:
Gauges are only as accurate the ear of the person who sets them. Gauges provide a mechanical reference, not an indication of pitch be aware of changes in temperature & humidity and other factors such as: adjustments to the head, fine tuner, or the drum being moved around. The person playing the drums is responsible for intonation.

It is not a sin to play out of tune. It is a sin to continue playing out of tune.

-Cloyd Duff, timpanist of the Cleveland Orchestra for 39 years.

Method and Solo Books

RESOURCES
Raynor Carroll Richard Hochrainer Saul Goodman A. Friese & A. Lepak Eckehardt Keune Jacques Delecluse Stanley Leonard (Batterie Music) (Verlag-Doblinger) (Belwin) (Belwin) (VEB Deutscher) (Leduc) (Ludwig Music)

Exercises, Etudes, and Solos for Timpani Etuden fur Timpani, Heft 1 Modern Method for Timpani The Freise-Lepak Timpani Method SchalginstrumenteEin Schulwertk, Teil 2 Trente Etudes pour Timbales (Cahiers 2&3) Pedal Technique for Timpani

Repertoire
The Raynor Carroll book contains excerpts, while the Goodman and Freise-Lepak books contain several complete parts to major timpani repertoire. Use your local library to obtain recordings and mini scores of these pieces. Listen to the pieces, study the scores, mark your parts and play along!

Suggested Equipment Mallets

Cloyd Duff Timpani Mallets (by Adams-Pearl) Black Swamp Bamboo Timpani Mallets Pro Mark Performer Series (Bamboo) Chronos (Cherry, Light Mahogany, Maple) Freer Timpani Mallets (Use to fill gaps in your set of sticks)

Mutes
Leather9x9 leather (suede on both sides) fold twice using a clothes iron and cloth (to protect leather). Felt discInexpensive mutes available from Vic Firth or Adams Soft feltRhapsody Percussion (www.rhapsodypercussion.com)
The Percussion Source (A Division of West Music)
PO Box 5521 District 0003 1212 5th Street Coralville, IA 52241-0521 (Ph): 866-849-4387 (Fx): 888-470-3942 www.percussionsource.com

Dealers

Steve Weiss Music

2324 Wyandotte Rd. Willow Grove, PA 19090 (Ph): 215-659-0100 (Fx): 215-659-1170 www.steveweissmusic.com