Difference between revisions of "Timpani"

Timpani
	; Range of Timpani
Timpani
Range of Timpani

Revision as of 22:46, 27 January 2013

Timpani is the more common plural form of the Italian name for kettledrums. They are a type of drum consisting of a membrane stretched over a vessel-shaped bowl or body made primarily from metal. The bowl acts to resonate vibrations created by striking the head resulting in a definite pitch.

Etymology and Alternative Spellings

Fr: timbale(s); Ger: pauken; It: timpano(i); Sp: timbals, atabul

Construction

The bowl of the timpani is usually made from copper alloy although some models come in fiberglass. This bowl acts as a resonator for the vibrations of the enclosed air created by striking the head. The heads, plastic or calfskin, are stretch across the top of the bowl and mounted on a hoop that is then secured down by a metal ring called the counterhoop. A number of threaded screws pass through the counterhoop and attach to the bowl and allow for variations in the skin's tension.

Basic Timpani

Machine Timpani

The first major steps that paved the way for machine timpani were taken by Gerhard Cramer in 1812. Cramer,the Royal Court Timpanist in the Munich court orchestra, invented the first rapid tuning device by taking advantage of the mechanical technology flourishing in the latter half of the Industrial Revolution. Tuning was accomplished by moving a vertical lever that moved on a horizontal axle. This in turn rotated a crown gear which would lower and raise a central screw. The central screw was attached to armatures and a hoop in which the drum skin was lapped.^[1] Musician and inventor Johann Stumpff introduced a rotating type of machine drum around 1815 (patented in 1821). This system consisted of a large central screw that entered the timpani from the bottom through a nut and attached to an internal armature structure. The entire bowl could be raised or lowered on this central screw which would alter the pressure on the hoop and tension of the skin much like roto-tom drums. The performer would have to stop playing, place their sticks down, and use both hands to rotate the drum - proving a major disadvantage for this particular machine drum. Despite this, the drums were cheap to manufacture, lightweight, and thus proved much easier to transport. ^[2] From this point forward, inventors and performers, sought to create tuning systems that featured free floating bowls(free of internal armatures and mechanisms for full, round sound)and simple, efficient tuning mechanisms (such as single hand screws or pedal systems).

Pedal Timpani

Chain Timpani

History

Sticks, Mallets, Beaters

Early drumsticks were made of wood and occasionally ivory. The sticks consisted of short shafts, small heads, and produced a loud, dry sound which was ideal for the ceremonial music of mounted kettledrummers. For more subtle situations, such as funeral processions, players would wrap the heads of the mallets with woolen cloth, chamois, or leather. ^[3]

Performance Technique

Grips

Stroke Style/Type

Tuning

Muffling

Extended Technique

Manufacturers

Head Replacement

Basics I

Spring Tension Style

Dresden Style

Goodman Chain Style

Retailers

References

↑ Edmund A., Bowles,ed. John H., Beck. Encyclopedia of Percussion. New York & London: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1995. (accessed January 27, 2013).
↑ Edmund A., Bowles,ed. John H., Beck. Encyclopedia of Percussion. New York & London: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1995. (accessed January 27, 2013).
↑ Edmund A., Bowles,ed. John H., Beck. Encyclopedia of Percussion. New York & London: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1995. (accessed January 19, 2013).

[1] Edmund A., Bowles,ed. John H., Beck. Encyclopedia of Percussion. New York & London: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1995. (accessed January 27, 2013).

[2] Edmund A., Bowles,ed. John H., Beck. Encyclopedia of Percussion. New York & London: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1995. (accessed January 27, 2013).

[3] Edmund A., Bowles,ed. John H., Beck. Encyclopedia of Percussion. New York & London: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1995. (accessed January 19, 2013).

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[2]

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 The first major steps that paved the way for machine timpani were taken by Gerhard Cramer in 1812.  Cramer,the Royal Court Timpanist in the Munich court orchestra, invented the first rapid tuning device by taking advantage of the mechanical technology flourishing in the latter half of the Industrial Revolution.  Tuning was accomplished by moving a vertical lever that moved on a horizontal axle.  This in turn rotated a crown gear which would lower and raise a central screw.  The central screw was attached to armatures and a hoop in which the drum skin was lapped.<ref>Edmund A., Bowles,ed. John H., Beck. Encyclopedia of Percussion. New York & London: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1995. (accessed January 27, 2013). </ref>
 Musician and inventor Johann Stumpff introduced a rotating type of machine drum around 1815 (patented in 1821).  This system consisted of a large central screw that entered the timpani from the bottom through a nut and attached to an internal armature structure.  The entire bowl could be raised or lowered on this central screw which would alter the pressure on the hoop and tension of the skin much like roto-tom drums.  The performer would have to stop playing, place their sticks down, and use both hands to rotate the drum - proving a major disadvantage for this particular machine drum.  Despite this, the drums were cheap to manufacture, lightweight, and thus proved much easier to transport. <ref>Edmund A., Bowles,ed. John H., Beck. Encyclopedia of Percussion. New York & London: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1995. (accessed January 27, 2013). </ref>
+From this point forward, inventors and performers, sought to create tuning systems that featured free floating bowls(free of internal armatures and mechanisms for full, round sound)and simple, efficient tuning mechanisms (such as single hand screws or pedal systems).
 ===Pedal Timpani===