Timpani Technique

Question 1

American Grip

Answer 1

1. Thumbs neither on top or the side - half-way in-between.
2. Palms neither perpendicular or parallel to the head of the instrument

Question 2

If you are playing a roll on a 23” drum, should the roll be faster, slower, or the same speed as a roll on a 32” drum?

Answer 2

Faster

Question 3

Four skills to tune the timpani:

Answer 3

1. Be able to hum or sing intervals
2. Tune the new drum from the bottom up
3. Sing and match given pitch
4. Middle range of the drum

Question 4

23” Common Range

Answer 4

D-A

Question 5

32” Common Range

Answer 5

D-A

Question 6

26” Common Range

Answer 6

Bb-F

Question 7

Where is the best beating spot located on timpani?

Answer 7

3-4” from the rim of the drum with sticks in the same spot.

Question 8

What is the standard size for a set of 4 timpani?

Answer 8

32-29-26-23

Question 9

If you are playing a roll on the lowest pitch on one timpani, should the roll be faster, slower or the same speed as the highest pitch on the same timpani head?

Answer 9

Slower

Question 10

29” Common Range

Answer 10

F-C

Question 11

When is it preferable to use double-sticking vs. cross-sticking

Answer 11

When the tempo is too fast to use cross-sticking

Question 12

French Grip

Answer 12

1. Palms facing each other perpendicular to hand
2. Thumbs on the top of the sticks

Question 13

What type of roll should you use when playing the timpani?

Answer 13

Single Bounce

Question 14

German Grip

Answer 14

1. Palms down, parallel to the head of the instrument
2. Thumbs on the sides of the sticks-facing each other