Page:Instruments of the Modern Symphony Orchestra.djvu/54

 (TIMPANI)

Italian Timpani

The kettle-drum consists of a hemispherical bowl of brass or copper, over which a parchment head is stretched. By varying the tension of the head by means of six or eight screws working on an iron ring, higher or lower tones of definite pitch are obtainable. Various mechanical means have been devised for changing the pitch of the drum by a single screw or lever (after equalizing the tension of the head by separate screws), and only the high cost of drums so equipped has prevented their general adoption.

Timpani are played with two drumsticks, the heads of which are usually solid balls of felt. Such sticks produce a velvety, musical quality of tone not unlike that of the double bass pizzicato. For dramatic effects, where harshness and terrifying noise are the aim of the composer, the use of wood-headed sticks, sometimes covered with leather, is indicated.

Timpani possess an almost unlimited dynamic range, from the faintest tap or rumble to a thunderous fortissimo. Detached notes are used for accentuating the rhythm, and the roll is invaluable for adding life and motion to sustained chords.

A pair of timpani consists of a large and a small drum. Three or more drums are employed with additional drummers on exceptional occasions. As the timpanist must be prepared to vary the tuning of his drums during performance, he must possess a fine ear, if not, indeed, absolute pitch.

The range of the timpani, with all chromatic intervals, is:

Page Fifty