Minnesota Orchestra: Timpani Demonstration

Get to know the timpani with Erich Rieppel, then head over to our Guide to the Orchestra to learn more!
minnesotaorchestra.org/guide

[@terrencekanzig4270]

Timpani was a clue in a crossword I was working today. I’d heard the word before but never gave it much thought but now this is my learn something new everyday thing. I wish I had the gift of playing a musical instrument but I can appreciate the skills of those who do have that gift. It’s fascinating the way the drums can be adjusted to make different sounds.

[@michaelkirkwood444]

Great! Thanks for teaching the finer points to listen for!

[@terrydonegan1622]

Thank you for that sir! Greetings from Wales UK

[@user-so5lr5hr3n]

He is being TOO MODEST! He would play the full range of the piano like a master. We were in the 4th grade at the time, and for not being interested...as he says...it was unlike anything I've ever seen before then, and still today. Wildly smart, devilishly charming, and played hockey like a devil! This was so cool seeing him again!

[@erikapk]

Wow! What a special and exciting instrument. You are so talented! Thanks a lot for this demonstration.

[@Madara-zj2qh]

so cool ! informative video!

[@AdviTheGreat]

This is amazing❤

[@michaelttkn8218]

Thank you!

[@SonicPhonic]

Wonderful. The Barber was awesome! Great title!

[@whowiseedet]

Thanks for the demonstration! I am looking to add a timpani to my drumset setup. Unusual, but I'm making the plunge... this was enlightening.

[@matthewzadell]

Neat! Just a quick fun fact: “timpani” is the plural, but a single drum is a “timpano.” Of course, most people wouldn’t even notice, but if you’re speaking to a timpanist, they might 😊

[@user-mp8xk8qn8f]

감사합니다 thank you!

[@robintranter6462]

As a composer I found this video very useful.

[@heatherduthie9609]

Brilliant ❤

[@mutatismarketingecomunicac5736]

I like it!

[@jeffreyalexander7504]

Fantastic piece at the end and played with passion. I have always love these drums as well.

[@dominicfinley8732]

you probably dont care but if you guys are stoned like me during the covid times then you can stream all of the latest movies on InstaFlixxer. Been streaming with my brother during the lockdown :)

[@deanxavier9552]

@Dominic Finley yea, been using InstaFlixxer for since december myself =)

[@MarcusAmazing41]

Handy, this is everything I needed to know. I was unsure about how many notes I could put in a composition but I see with pedal timps there is more flexibility.

[@matthewzadell]

I would strongly recommend you consult a percussionist/Timpanist for more details on individual drum ranges and how much time is necessary for pitch changes - new composers can often go a little too far with their timpani writing 😅

[@alejandromusic7148]

thank you for this! Question: is there such thing as ghost notes for timpani? I am scoring and wanting the player to play some notes softer than others

[@mr_torle]

There are pieces with flams. You just play the small notes softer then. There are pieces where you turn one stick to make a contrast between staccato wooden sound (butt) and the soft, warm hit with the head.

[@alejandromusic7148]

@@mr_torle I understand, thank you. I am not looking for a flam grace note effect, i was looking for something like alternating a hard hit a soft one... kinda like hit forte, hit piano, hit forte, hit piano all the way to the end... So that is what i did in the score, i just specified forte and piano almost every damn note lol. was this wrong? Thank you again!

[@mr_torle]

@@alejandromusic7148 It's not wrong. You could write fp at every loud note. Or specifically write an accent with fort or whatever and then piano for the unaccented one. And then do the "simile"-move. So the player knows that it's the same for every accented/non accented note.

[@alejandromusic7148]

@@mr_torle thank you very much for your answer. I am going to research on that simile move, see what that is about. Thanks man!

[@mr_torle]

@@alejandromusic7148 Simile means "same" or play it the same. For example the first bar is a crescendo with tenuto and then you write simile for the next bar.

[@beakmann]

Today I learned the timpani has pedals

[@beaudure01]

I had no tuning gauges when I played. Just had to go by feel (and ear).

[@litoboy5]

Wow

[@frgwyn3760]

Log thumpies

[@richardwilliams473]

His demonstration of a timpani roll was needing faster alternative strokes at 3:38

[@matthewzadell]

It only sounds that way because the camera is so close - that roll, out in the hall, would sound smooth.

[@sankhanb]

Come to India, listen Indian Dhakis much much better...

[@sankhanb]

just seeing demonstration in each video... no sound... I don't find anything interesting in this...