Timpani Notes
A Band Director's Reference for Kettle Drums
Bowl Shape
The bowl of the kettle drum can come in a variety of different shape. Below I will describe some of the major categories of bowl shape that you may come across. There is a great deal of conflicting information about the difference that the shape makes in the sound quality, but some research indicates that the volume of the inside of the bowl has more effect on the sound than the actual shape.
Parabolic - A parabola is a gently sloping curve, less curved near the rim and more near the bottom. Most sources suggest that a parabolic kettle drum bowl will generally create a darker sound with more resonance in the overtones. This sound is well-suited to orchestral playing.
Hemispherical - These bowls are more evenly rounded, like the bottom half of a sphere. Hemispherical bowls sound brighter, with greater emphasis on the fundamental. This style of bowl is generally preferred in band settings.
Cambered - This style of bowl features a hemispherical bottom with very flat edges. This design is intended to create a very focused and warm sound. This shape is considered "top-of-the-line"
Purchasing Kettle Drums
Pedal Style
There are a wide variety of tuning systems for timpani, incuding machine, pedal, and chain mechanisms. Most school timpani use a balanced action pedal system for tuning. This system balances the tension on the head with a spring or hydrolic cylinder. The balance can be adjusted using a knob attached to the system. This setup is ideal for school bands because no action is required to hold the tuning on the head, and adjustments can be made quickly and easily. Other options include various manners of clutch system that holds the pedal in place when engaged.
Tuning Gauges or No?
The use of tuning gauges is a controvesial subject among percussionists and teachers. Many claim that including gauges on your drums will encourage your timpanists to rely on them rather than training their ear for intervals and learning to listen for pitch. However, unlike a wind or string player improving their sense of pitch on their instrument, the young timpanist likely never have the opportunity to practice at home or have private lessons with a timpani specialist. The instruments are simply too large and too expensive to make daily practice feasible. For this reason, any band director who anticipates performing repertoire that requires on-the-fly changes of tuning should seriously consider purchasing tuning gauges for all five drums. The gauges give the young timpanist a zone of reference for finding the new pitch when fast changes are required. The player will still have to make adjustments to differences in pitch center within the ensemble. Tuning gauges do come at additional cost. If the cost is not manageable to equip the entire set with gauges consider adding them to the drums that will see the most tuning adjustments. Typically these will be the 26" and 29" drum.
Bowl Materials
Fiberglass - Fiberglass is a lightweight and inexpensive material; timpani made of this material come at the lowest price point. Manufacturers say that fiberglass bowls do not create the same overtone quality or sustain as metal bowls, but the difference in sound will likely not be noticable in a school ensemble. However, the buyer should be aware that fiberglass bowls are not as impact resistant as those made of metal; the bowls will dent, scratch, or even break in relatively easily. Fiberglass timpani are almost certain to need replacement sooner than those made of metal
Copper - Copper is the traditional material for timpani bowls. It creates a rich sound and sustain. Copper timpani are heavier than other materials, making them more difficult to move if that is necessary. However, they are much more durable and long-lasting than fiberglass bowls. Copper bowls can come in a polished, or flat, finish, or a hammered finish, similar to the manufacturing of a cymbal. According to the Pearl Corporation, the hammered finish will create a more focused or direct sound
Aluminum - Some manufacturers have begun to manufacture timpani from aluminum as a lighter alternative to copper. These drums are new, and therefore less is known about them. Aluminum bowls have a similar sound to copper, are more durable than fiberglass, but are slightly more practical for the director who must move the drums frequently or over long distances.
Manufacturers
Timpani in North America are almost exclusively produced by one of three instrument manufacturers. All three have distribution and parts warehouses in the U.S. and manufacture high quality instruments.
Yamaha Corp. - Originally from Japan, Yamaha is a major, world-wide supplier of all kinds of musical instruments, and the most popular source for timpani in the United States. They are responsible for the pioneering of kettle drums made from aluminum.
Ludwig-Musser - Ludwig is an American manufacturer of percussion instruments and a divison of the Conn-Selmer corporation. They have the second largest share of the Timpani market.
Adams Musical Instruments - Adams is a manufacturer based in the Netherlands, specializing in concert, pitched percussion. Their instruments are sold in North America through the Pearl Corporation. They have the smallest market share of the three major manufacturers.
Other Considerations
Standard kettle drums are produced in five sizes, measured by the diameter of the playing surface: 20", 23", 26", 29", and 32". A 32" drum, after accounting for hardware, is unlikely to fit through a doorway smaller than 34". It is important to consider what kinds of moving your drums will undergo and through what door openings they might have to pass. It is possible to order 30" or 31" drums, but this may incur additional expense or require more time for custom manufacture and shipping.
The most economical way to purchase new timpani in the long run is to purchase a full set of five drums at once. It is never a good idea to mix drums from different manufacturers or even different lines from the same manufacturer.