Mr. T. you are of the main reasons I go to hear the LSO concerts in the Barbican. Your playing is spell-binding, and I cannot take my eyes off you when you play. How crazy for a seriously old person such as me not to have realized it is the timpani that sets the rhythm for the orchestra to follow... of course you do! The subtlety of your playing from deftness to powerful expression is truly brilliant. You were made to take a single bow recently at the end of the concert, and the audience went crazy for you. Just as it should be. Bravo.
I don't play either and I'm watching this, lol. I've actually watched about all of this stuff with these different instruments, because they are all awesome and done by a great orchestra.
i have to agree with this. I have played timpani on a grade 6 piece. It was Parkour by Samuel Hazo. It is very hard when you are playing 16th notes and have a random 16th rest every few beats. My biggest problem is grip and rolls because you cant bounce the mallets.
That's because you are not hearing them with the orchestra. Renaissance heads have this very stringy metallic overtone that sounds kinda harsh when alone, but blends in and cuts at the same time with other instruments. I use them for many different drums, and they are the best I have ever heard. Calf theoretically sounds best but only when in tune, and that's rarely. It's almost impossible to clear calf heads for any period of time.
I used to feel the same way. Nearly 40 years ago I was originally taught to play standing. When playing using a French grip style, standing is not at all awkward. For Beethoven or similar parts that don't require rapid tuning, standing is fine and has some long tradition to back it up. For a modern player, playing modern parts, this is no longer practical. After all, early tympani did not have pedals, so keeping both feet available was not a consideration. Modern music requires of sitting.
In my experience the Timpani is much more about the details and precision. Not the most technically demanding instrument in the orchestra but it can really make or break some sections. A talented and experienced Timapnisit will benefit those around them is what I've always found!
HI, I want to find a big drum that will make a low end booming rumble for a percussion in my Church (very contemporary)... not the drummer. Is a tipani my best choice or should I use a surdo or something. If i tune this down low will it work? Thanks anyone who can help,it is very appreciated.... I love your work!
Because it's interesting to find out about other instruments, especially if you're considering orchestrating or composing. Besides as a trombonist you should know how the rest of the players in an orchestra play so you can play with them better.
any chances you can post a video about pedaling(pedal gliss) and maybe double pedaling. i am unfortunate to only be able to play on three timpani (highest pitch timpani was stolen) at my school so i have to compensate by pedaling but i dont think i have the right technique. also the pedal doesnt stick, so i have to keep my foot on the pedals to keep them from tightening. someone mentioned sitting on stools for timpani. i only sit down when i double pedal but most ly when i play i stand
I really don't know the timpani technics, but I know a little bit about drums. As a beginner drummer, I don't find those examples really hard, but I know I'm wrong, he knows what he is talking about. But why is it so hard ?
Because with drums, you don't really sight read much. Timpani are percussion, but they're tuned percussion. So, it's kind of like playing a bass as a percussion. And, the rest of the orchestra depends on the percussionist to keep time, all while considering that it is a classical instrument and classical music tends to be heavily emotive. Imagine playing something written in counterpoint and if you strike the wrong drum, the whole chord gets screwed up. 😂 It is that deep.
It's kinda ignorant to say it's easy or difficult, really... I mean, it all depends how you use it. Sure if you're in an orchestra, it could be quite difficult. I wouldn't know, I've never been in that situation; however, if you're using it on your own and adding it to a song you've written etc. then it can also be quite easy. It depends completely on the written material and the situation you're playing in. Same goes for just about any other instrument too. (except for the french horn maybe)
yeah I feel bad now. I didn't notice that it was supposed to be a lesson. I just wanted to hear some epic Timpani music that reminds me or War Music. It's really hard to find and I got a little frustrated. I wanted (what I consider) war music, but every video I click on is either civil war marching band junk or heavy metal crap. If you have any suggestions, please share.
Get a teacher? This stuff won’t make any sense to you for a while yet, being a beginner. That’s the best advice I can give. A teacher, lots of practice and then, later comes the repertoire.
The difficult part about the Timpani isn't playing it, but is tuning. When there's a key change in the piece, you're going to have to tune them inconspicuously! Most of the time, you will only get one shot to perfectly tune the timpani. If you're tuning is off, every one will hear it and it won't sound pleasant! It's not easy to memorize the pitch and intervals!
I don't know, but consider this - a percussion player is to learn and know a great variety of percussion instruments, and they are most importantly, must be extremely reliable. If you make a mistake (e.g. too loud, slightly too fast, hitting with the wrong way/technique), everyone knows and you will have no where to hide, unlike a single violinist's mistake and 10+ other violinists covering your mistake. So, knowledge of instruments + skills + rare specialist = high pay? Probably. So,
Don't feel bad - Nigel has one of the fastest rolls on timps I have ever seen. I'd like to ask him if there is a way to speed up your rolls . Mine are ok on the 32 and 29 but are too slow on the 23 and 21. Watch his hands - he must be doing 10/second with each hand compared to my 6 or 7/sec - jealous !!
@@bonniebowduns431 -How fast the roll should be depends on the size drum you are playing on. Do you have a teacher? Contact the professional orchestra in your area and see if you can study with their timpanist. Then, you can get your questions answered. It’s too hard to explain in words how to properly play rolls. The power doesn’t come from just the hands. It’s a combination of movement. It’s hard to explain without showing what I mean.
purchase a timpani drum key and ask your band director to teach you how to clear a timpani head. assuming your high school's timpani sound like crap, nobody is going to fix it but you.
