How to Play a Kettle Drum

With drum circles so in vogue these days, the kettle drum, or timpani, is making appearances in parks and music stores all over the world. This type of drum looks like a big kettle with a copper colored bottom. Kettle drums resonate with a deep sound and often back up the strings and horns of orchestras. Learn how to play a kettle drum and realize your musical dreams.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Tune the drum by tightening or loosening the skin that is stretched over the big bowl. Use the foot pedal to tune it during a piece for higher or lower notes. Push up on the pedal to tighten the head and make the tone higher pitched. Push down on the pedal for more bass in the pitch.
2. Hold two drum sticks, or mallets, in your hands with your thumbs on the tops. Unlike snare or other drums that are played with sticks, you make more of a pounding beat on a kettle drum. The sticks have rounded tips covered in felt to soften the tone of the bass and make it more full-bodied.
3. Let the sticks lie loosely in your hands to allow them to bounce on top of the skin for a rolling sound. Let the sticks bounce on top of the skin. This kind of rolling sound fits in well at a drum circle.
4. Add a big roll to your orchestra or the drum circle by holding the mallets in each hand. Strike the kettle drum with one stick at a time. Alternate the hits rapidly and build to a crescendo. Hit the drum faster and harder for a dramatic effect.
5. Use the mutes if your sound is too overpowering. Some kettle drums have these small leather ties on the top of the drum. They can be used to control the vibrations after you hit the drum.

Tips & Warnings

• Usually at the end of a kettle drum roll, you will hear the big sound of the cymbal.

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