A very prominent online dictionary defines the timpani as follows: Timpani — The greatest set of orchestral drums ever created. Admittedly, this definition comes from the urban dictionary, potentially a less than scholarly resource, but I can’t help but agree. Perhaps I am a little biased, being a timpanist myself, but the timpani are perhaps the most powerful and dramatic instrument in the symphony orchestra. They can roar or they can whisper, heightening the impact of the moment. The Timpani occupy a percussive category of their own; they have the ability to play specific pitches. The head of the drum is tensioned by a hoop that pulls down on the head to tighten it. On contemporary drums, a mechanism called the spider links this hoop to a foot pedal. This allows the pitched to be raised (by pulling down on the hoop and tightening the head) or lowered (by letting up on the hoop and loosening the head) with the feet, while the player continues to play with his hands. This allows the timpanist to play complex melodies, playing the notes with his hands and quickly changing the pitches with his feet. Here’s a great example:
But timpani have not always been so technologically advanced. In fact, the pedal mechanism was not invented until the 1870s. The history of the timpani predates this.
In fact, the very first timpani date from 12th century Arab empires, such as the Ottoman empire. These timpani were much smaller than modern drums. Primarily, they were used in military bands. Although there is little information on these ancient drums, the historical record fills out when European crusaders and Saracens brought these drums back home with them to Europe. In the 15th century, larger timpani, similar to the drums we use today, began to show up. These new drums were played from horseback, with one mounted on either side of the horseman. They were used in battle and to herald the grand entrance of royalty.
From these militaristic origins, the timpani began to expand into civilian life. Around the 16th century the timpani were adapted for church music. Still, their sound was most often paired with trumpets and used to summon a militaristic aura. These drums would evolve into what modern timpanists consider baroque timpani, drums which were hand- tuned with screws. It would not be until the late 1870s when the German instrument maker Carl Pittrich would patent a pedal mechanism similar to what we see today on modern drums
But how were the timpani made before methods of modern construction? Contemporary drums are manufactured in specialized workshops with machinery that makes the process efficient and exact. Here’s an interesting video showing how Yamaha produces their drums.
But in its earlier days, there were no specialty factories. Instead, it took the skills of many different craftsman to construct the timpani. Firstly, the bowl (or kettle) was made by an expert metal worker. Primarily, the bowl was made copper, although other metals, such as brass of silver, could be used. Interestingly, most timpani bowls are still made from copper. Next, a tanner would fabricate the drum’s head from an animal skin, most commonly a calf. Most contemporary drumheads are made from plastic, although some professionals still favor the sound of calfskin. Finally, a machinist would be responsible for making the counter hoop (the metal hoop that pulls down on the head), the tuning screws used to tighten the head, and the mounting hardware for the screws (these are often called called lugs).
It was a painstaking process, but worthwhile. The timpani were considered a compelling instrument during their early period. German Composer Johann E. Altenburg wrote in 18th century that, “An accomplished timpanist, by utilizing a large variety of techniques and artful beatings, can keep his audience’s attention for quite a length of time. He compensates for the lack of pitches with numerous Schlag-Manieren.” The term Schalag-manieren refers to a series of artful patterns and rhythms that the timpanist would improvise over their part. Timpanist and musicologist Ben Harms demonstrates this in this video.
As you can see, the timpani have a long and rich history. And their evolution continues, with the introduction of new ensemble and solo pieces that push timpanist to unprecedented technical extremes. Who knows where we will end up in another couple hundred years!
Hi Micah,
I found your post to be very informative! I can tell that your love for the instrument is very strong and that you have a tone of excitement throughout. I liked all of your video media as it demonstrated all of the pertinent information contained within your text. Some of your hyperlinks should be checked as the first one brought me to a definition for “timpan” and some do not work at all, such as the last two in your third paragraph. I have played timpani in a community band and am glad to get some historical knowledge concerning this instrument that I assumed haven’t changed too much in the past, but now know what changes have occurred and what techniques have developed to make this a more expressive and efficient instrument. I think it might be good to have a bit of color around the words for an enticing visual display as white is clean and professional, I feel that it makes a post less attention grabbing than it could be. I thought the last video was very interesting as I find it funny to think of solo timpani pieces, but that clearly showed that that is not the case. I’m glad to know more about the timpani as a historical piece of instrumentation through your article.