Timpani Flashcards
Common range of the 32” timpani
D below the staff to A (1st space)
Common range of the 29” timpani
F below the staff to C (2nd space)
Common range of the 26” timpani
Bb (2nd line) to F (4th line)
Common range of the 23” timpani
D (3rd line) to A (5th line)
What are the 6 possible causes for uneven sticking on the timpani?
The grips are not formed the same in each hand, the sticks are not held at the same height above the head, the sticks are not striking the same spot on the head, there is a one hand dominance over the other hand, the tuning around the head is inconsistent, the player is using different sticks, all the above
Describe the American timpani grip
Thumbs neither on top or the side (halfway-in-between)
Palms neither perpendicular or parallel to the head of the instrument
Describe the French timpani grip
Palms facing each other - perpendicular to head
Thumbs on top of the sticks
Describe the German timpani grip
Palms down - parallel to the head of the instrument
Thumbs on the sides of the sticks - facing each other
Standard set of four timpani includes
32 - 29 - 26 - 23
True or False: When tuning the timpani, you should start above the desired pitch and bring the timpani head down to that pitch.
FALSE
When learning to tune timpani, what is the first and most important skill to practice?
Sing and match the given pitch
Name two reasons why it is learning to sing and recognize intervals important when playing the timpani.
It is necessary to make sure the timpani are in tune with each other
It is necessary to make pitch changes during the playing of a song
Ideally, where would a pitch tuned on the timpani sound its best?
Middle range of the drum
What type of roll should you use when playing the timpani?
Single bounce roll
When is it preferable to use double sticking vs. cross-sticking?
When the tempo is too fast to use cross-sticking