By
eHow Arts & Entertainment Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
- 2 Timbale drums
- 2 Timbale sticks
- Timbale stand
- 2 cowbells (optional)
Step1
Place the timbales on a stand and adjust to waist height. Position the larger drum to your left and the smaller drum to your right.
Step2
Play timbales with timbale sticks using a matched grip.
Step3
Tune the timbales to the middle or lower part of their range, with an interval of a perfect fourth between the lower and higher drum.
Step4
Play an open stroke by beating the drum in the middle of the head and allowing it to resonate.
Step5
Play a rim shot stroke by simultaneously striking the rim of the shell and the edge of the drum head.
Step6
Play a cross-stick stroke by holding the drum stick between your thumb and index finger, placing the heel of your hand on the drum head, and tapping the stick on the shell rim with a wrist motion.
Step7
Play paila style by striking the sides of the timbale shell with the timbale sticks, usually using a dead stroke.
Step8
Add a pair of cowbells and strike with the tip of the stick for a bright sound, or with the shaft of the stick for a darker sound.