Timpani Notes
A Band Director's Reference for Kettle Drums
Sticks and Mallets
General Mallet - This is a medium hardness felt mallet, good for use in a variety of playing situations. Example: Vic Firth T1
The band director should be sure to keep a wide variety of mallets on hand to enable the timpanist to create the precise sound desired. Mallets can be made of different materials, including wooden and bamboo, and in different shapes, cylindrical or tapered. These distinctions are primarily issues of feel and touch for the performer. The important quality of the stick is the felt or bead. Try to have on hand the following types of mallets:
Roller Mallet - A soft felt mallet, for playing with very little articulation, but a full sound. Example: Pro Mark PST1
Staccato and/or Ultra Staccato Mallet - A hard felt mallet, for playing fast passages with a clear articulation. Example: Pro Mark PST4 or PST5
Wooden Mallet - This is an extra hard mallet with a wooden head for playing Baroque style music, extremely hard articulation, or special effects.
Example: Vic Firth T5
