Now that your ears are up for it, you are ready to start tuning the timpani! Here are a few tips to get you started.

Tip #1

It's better to tune up to a pitch from below. The drum will hold the pitch better this way. Coming from above down to the target pitch can leave slack in the head and then when you play loudly, the drum can slip (taking up the slack) and go flat.

TUNING PROCEDURE

Tip #2

Be aware that a very small pedal movement has a big effect on pitch when you are near the bottom of a drum's range. The higher in the range you go, the more you must move the pedal to achieve the same change. For example, on the 26" drum a very small pedal movement changes Bb to B, but a larger pedal movement is required to change E to F

26" TIMPANI Bb to B and E to F

Tip #3

If it sounds bad, don't leave it that way. If you can't tell whether you are too high or too low, take a guess and adjust. Your chances are 50-50. If it sounds better, you guessed right. If it gets worse, you guessed wrong and maybe you will guess better next time!

Tip #4

Tune WHILE you play, not just before you play. Tuning is not just a preparatory action that you do before playing the timpani. It is part of playing the instrument. Whenever possible, have your foot on the pedal while you are playing. By doing this, you can make a quick adjustment after you start playing if you hear that you are out of tune with the rest of the band.

Tip #5

Learn how your part should sound. Play it on the piano or mallet keyboard. Sing it. Listen to a recording of the piece if at all possible. Maybe look at the score to learn how your pitches function in the context of the overall harmony. Pencil into your music indications of what key and what chord is being played. This should help you find times when you can quietly check your pitch during rests.