How to Play Timpani Drums

Timpani drums are an orchestra's main percussion instrument. You will recognize the drum because it looks like a copper kettle. Because playing timpani drums involves rhythm, tone and pitch, they are considered to be one of the hardest instruments to play. Mastering some basic techniques, however, can provide a solid foundation.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Timpani drums
• Mallets
• Tuning pedal
• Rhythm
• Internet access

1. Purchase a timpani drum at your local music store, over the Internet or through classified ads. You also will need a set of mallets or beaters.
2. Arrange your timpani properly by positioning the pedals nearly parallel to one another and pointing toward you. Place your music stand there too.
3. Grab the mallets with either a matched or "thumbs up" hold, depending on the desired tone. Place your hand above the mallet and keep your thumb off to the side to create the matched grip.
4. Play a lighter tone by positioning your thumb above the mallet while your remaining fingers are cupped below. With your fingers in this position the mallet has more freedom to pivot above your thumb.
5. Stroke the timpani using your wrist and fingers, not your arm, and sweep the mallets in the air. This is referred to as the basic stroke when playing timpani drums. Practice playing single strokes evenly with both hands before attempting more sophisticated movements.
6. Play various beats by interchanging sticks. Occasionally, this calls for playing one drum with the hand that is farthest away. The concept of playing this "cross beat" is to have the moving hand go above the still hand. Mastering this technique requires extensive practice.
7. Hit different areas of the drum head to evoke various sounds. Striking near the rim yields a sound that is bright but not deep. A strike closer to the center of the head gives a richer sound. The area nearly six inches from the outer edge creates the most used sounds. The nearer to the head's center you strike the more placid the sound.
8. Alter your drum's pitch by adjusting the tension screws located on the side of the drum head. To raise the pitch, tighten the screws and loosen them for a a lower pitch. Push down on the pedal to activate all the screws. To check the pitch, tap your fingers in your preferred playing spot and around the screws.

Tips & Warnings

• Take lessons from a professional or utilize a website that offers online instruction to learn to play the timpani drum properly.
• Purchasing drum head covers is recommended.
• The shape of the drum's "kettle" adds to the tone quality.
• Use a variety of mallets to produce an array of tones
• If using multiple drums, they should all be tuned at different pitches.
• Shop around for good deals on used drums either online or in your local want ads.