Timpani Notes
A Band Director's Reference for Kettle Drums
Buying Heads
While mylar timpani heads are significantly more durable and weather-resistant than skin heads, they still wear out and need replacement. Ideally heads would be changed every two to three years, but that may not be reasonable for every program. With care and maintenance drum heads can be made to last longer.
When the time comes to replace the timpani heads, remember that on most timpani the head extends beyond the rim of the bowl, unlike other drums. Becuase of this fact, the diameter of the drum and the diameter of the head are not likely to be the same. For example, a 29-inch head is likely to be too small for a 29-inch drum. Timpani head sizes have become much more standardized since 1978, and the two major manufacturers of timpani heads, Evans and Remo, have charts to help you purchase the correct size for your drums. They can be found here:
