Timpani
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Timpani, or Kettledrums, are the most important orchestral percussion instruments. Two or more drums, arranged in a group, are played at any one time. Timpani can be tuned to play particular notes using the pedal. Great skill is needed to strike the drums well, and to change pitch quickly and quietly during performances.
| Family |
| Percussions |
| Pitch range |
| A set of five orchestral timpani span a pitch range from low bass-D to B-flat, almost two octaves higher. |
| Material |
| Copper or fiberglass bowl ; plastic or calfskin drum head. |
| Size |
| Variable : drum heads range from 19-32 in (48-81 cm) in diameter. |
| Origins |
| Timpani derived from Turkish camel drums and came into Europe via Hungary in the 1400s. |
| Classification |
| Membranophone: an instrument that produces its sound by the vibration of a stretched skin. |
| And also... |
| Timpanists carry many pairs of beaters to produce different tone qualities. |
