Timpani Technique

Question 1

Describe French grip

Answer 1

• palms facing each other, perpendicular to the drum head

- thumbs on top of the sticks

Question 2

What are the sizes of the four timpani?

Answer 2

32, 29, 26, 23

Question 3

What are the ranges of the four timpani?

Answer 3

D(umb) - A
F(reaking) - C
Bb(and) - F
D(irectors) - A

Question 4

How to tune timpani?

Answer 4

Sing and match the given pitch.
Tune from the bottom up. Start lower and move up the pitch.
It is helpful to be able to sing intervals and match pitch.

Question 5

How to do a roll on timpani

Answer 5

• the lower the pitch, the slower the roll; faster rolls for higher pitches and higher drums
• roll 3-4 inches from the side of the drum
• single stroke

Question 6

When should you double-stick instead of cross-stick?

Answer 6

When the tempo is too fast to cross-stick, use double-sticking.

Question 7

What are some possible causes for uneven sticking?

Answer 7

• the grips are not formed the same in each hand
• there is dominance in one hand over the other
• the player is using two different sticks
• the sticks are not being held at the same height over the head of the drum
• the sticks are not striking the same spot
• the tuning around the head is inconsistent

Question 8

Describe American grip

Answer 8

• thumbs neither on the top nor the side; halfway in between

- palms neither perpendicular nor parallel to the instrument

Question 9

Describe German grip

Answer 9

• palms down, parallel to the head

- thumbs on the sides of the sticks, facing each other