Timpani Tips

TIMP-TUNER^TM

TIMPANI TIPS

[Drum Maintenance][Ear Training][Quick Changes][No Title]

This section of the Protune Corp. website contains information developed during 20 years of attendance at conferences and School Music Association conventions around the country. We generally borrowed or rented timpani for our Timp-Tuner™ booth demonstrations, and have gone through the process of changing heads, balancing heads, adjusting the range of the drum, and repairing mechanical problems that we encounterd. We have had our own questions answered by experts, and we have shared information with thousands of school music professionals, helping them solve mechanical, educational, and performance problems. The information we provide in this section reflects questions commonly asked of us by music educators.

Generally, music educators have taken a one-semester course covering the full range of percussion instruments and techniques. (Al Payson, percussionist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, taught one such course, and told us that he was able to devote only about one hour of the course to timpani.) It is not suprising, therefore, that music directors may not have the specialized information and/or the time required to maintain the drums, correct mechanical problems, and train young drummers in their care and use. Here, then, then is our attempt to help them.

CAUTION: Pedal-tuned Timpani generally have a spring-loaded mechanism that counterbalances the head tension. This is designed to minimize the force required to move the pedal (to change pitch) and to help assure that the pedal stays in the position set by the player. The spring mechanism is a sort of giant mousetrap that can cause damage and injury if improperly handled. Do not attempt to disassemble or modify the counterbalance mechanism.

(Note: Content not yet Developed)

A Basic Functional Test

Removing a Head

Smoothing the Lip of the Kettle

Lubrication

Replacing a head

Setting the proper playing range

Balancing Heads

Pedal Balance

Pedal Brake

Links to other Sites

An Improvised Pedal Gage (link to "really quick change"