[blevinspercussion]

Great info in this thread! (I hope the original poster is soaking all of this up).

I would like to reiterate that French grip (thumbs on top) is definitely the way to go. You will very rarely, if ever, see a professional timpanist play anything else. Also of utmost importance, as stated before, is "pulling" the sound out of the drum. It may seem a little pretentious at first, but it really makes a huge difference.

I'd also like to weigh in on the seated versus standing debate. thepope stated that sitting with make your playing "lifeless and mundane", but fail to see how he came to that conclusion. When I was in college, I only played seated, at the suggestion of my teacher. There are a couple of reasons for this. First of all, there is the issue of pitch changes, as was addressed before. Also, I believe that it is important to play with consistent technique and posture. So, if you have to play seated sometimes, you should probably play seated all of the time. I would suggest using a very tall seat, like a bar stool, so that you are almost standing. You should sit just on the edge of the seat with one foot on the floor and one foot on the stool (on a crossbar) at all times. You can use your "floor foot" to change pitches as needed. Playing in this manner, you will kind of be half-standing/half-sitting. But mostly sitting, I guess. Also, for me, when I stand at the drums they feel a little bit low. Playing seated puts them in a more comfortable playing position.

Of course, this is all just my opinion based on the way that I was taught and what I became comfortable with.

In a bit is shameless self-promotion, here is a Youtube video of me playing Murray Houliff's "Four Verses For Timpani" at my junior recital.

YouTube - ‪Four Verses for...

[xxvenom13xx]

For playing timpani, you should definitely try sitting OR standing...see which is more comfortable. I have always played standing because I feel it's more comfortable for movement and tuning; however, if you prefer sitting, it's not bad either way.

For tuning, since you're planning on a scholarship, definitely learn the pitches of F, E flat, B flat, G, and A flat. Those are the most common pitches used on timpani (from what I have played) and it's very useful to have a good ear.

Another thing; play matched grip, and close the gap between your index finger and thumb; the three rear fingers are the motor for your single strokes, and the index finger and thumb are the steering.

When you're playing single stroke rolls, which are the only rolls used on timpani (since double strokes resonate more sound than needed), try to practice keeping them even and using the velocity of your stroke to pull the sound out of the drums. Height is only for show; it is the velocity of the stroke that pulls out sound.

If you need any other tips I be here(:

[cooldrummer95]

i have to say that french grip is the way to go........i have only ever seen on tympanist play matched..........

and about the heights being just for show.......i agree partly........

as my former director would say "when the audience just sees you hit the drum, they hear "thomp" but when they see you hit the drum and very graceful "pull the sound out" and dramatize the sound pullin, they hear a beautiful "thooooooommmmmgggg".


and when you have quarter notes or something, let the drum sound for the length of the note and then mute it.......especially on marches ie: "the raider's march"

[xxvenom13xx]

Well, I consider matched grip with the thumb on top...that's the only way I have ever played.

[blevinspercussion]

I totally forgot to mention tuning.

I was born with terrible pitch. I struggled and struggled in high school trying to match the pitch of the timpani to the pitch pipe and even when I was sure I had nailed it, I would be as much as a minor third off.

The trick is to not to tune to the pitch pipe. I eventually got rid of mine. The trick is to play a pitch, then sing the pitch, then tune the drum to your voice. I always tuned off of a marimba, because I have a naturally low voice and it is easier for me to sing, hear pitches and tune to a lower register. One of the problems I always had with a pitch pipe is that it sounds something like three or four octaves hight than a timp and had trouble tuning across that many octaves.

If you have any tuning issues, try it that way. Play the pitch, sing it, tune the drum to your voice. You will have a dramatic improvement in tuning in no time at all. I noticed improvement in a week or two.

Hope this helps!

[xxvenom13xx]

We never had pitch pipes(:

We always use a marimba or chimes to tune timpani...it's easier than singing...

All the drummers at my high school sucked at singing. Ha

[blevinspercussion]

I sucked at singing, too...believe me (and still do). But after I learned to sing a pitch (received from the marimba) and tune to my voice, my tuning became waaaay more accurate. I strongly suggest trying it that way for a couple of weeks and see how much your tuning improves.