Timpani

[jochanaan]

In addition to my other instruments, I played timpani for a while in college.  Two things were difficult to master: doing a good roll, and keeping the things in tune!  Once you can do that, you can do anything you need to on the timpani--at least, until you try those Bartok things that make you change pitch as you're playing.

[Szykneij]

Once you can do that, you can do anything you need to on the timpani--at least, until you try those Bartok things that make you change pitch as you're playing.

Definitely a challenge. I doubt there's a timpanist for any high level orchestra who isn't an accomplished percussionist, trained in all facets of the various percussion instruments. I'm certain they all know their flams and paradiddles. Having a solid musical background to play timpani is just as important as it is for any other instrument.

[Mozart]

What about cymbals? Is there anything challenging about that? I mean a monkey statue plays them in the phantom of the opera!

[mahlertitan]

What about cymbals? Is there anything challenging about that? I mean a monkey statue plays them in the phantom of the opera!

cymbals.... it's so difficult to play them well, many chose to play timpani because they can't do cymbals well.

[hornteacher]

What about cymbals? Is there anything challenging about that? I mean a monkey statue plays them in the phantom of the opera!

Try playing the finale to Tchaikovsky 4 and then ask again. 

[JoshLilly]

This thread angers Georg Druschetzky. And you don't want to piss him off. I'm putting on his 1790s Concerto for Oboe, Eight Timpani, and Orchestra. And his Concerto for Six Timpani and Orchestra. And also his Partita for Six Timpani and Orchestra. Yeah. Yeah baby, them's real timpani, none of those sissy padded sticks. Timpani and lots of 'em. He had some anger to work out, and if you piss him off dissing his favourite instrument, he'll come back from the dead and go all drumstick on your FACE.

Druschetzky done brung it. What you got, B.? You want to learn about timpani? Check this out:

http://tinyurl.com/3e2h3r
http://tinyurl.com/3crnje
http://tinyurl.com/2jk5lv

[pjme]

Check out John Tafoya's website - always plenty of good information on timpani & percussion.

http://www.johntafoya.com/

Marc Zoutendijk is a Dutch percussionist . The links on his website form a great list of famous percussionist, info on composers & instruments.
http://www.xs4all.nl/~marcz/percussioninformation/index.html

[Bonehelm]

What about cymbals? Is there anything challenging about that? I mean a monkey statue plays them in the phantom of the opera!

Buddy, even triangle requires immense skill. We're talking about an orchestra here.

[greg]

Buddy, even triangle requires immense skill. We're talking about an orchestra here.

i know what you mean...... i took lessons and studied intensely for years, an still I can't hit that stupid metal rod with the triangle bar.

[Steve]

i know what you mean...... i took lessons and studied intensely for years, an still I can't hit that stupid metal rod with the triangle bar.

I could never quite grasp the percussion for the life of me! The strings in my orchestra  (I was one of them, sadly) used to mock the seemingly simple parts for most of our percussionists. My, how wrong we were!)

In addition to the Violin I play now, I've always wanted to try out the Timpani, French Horn, and Oboe. 

[mahlertitan]

i know what you mean...... i took lessons and studied intensely for years, an still I can't hit that stupid metal rod with the triangle bar.

obviously, you haven't studied it intensely enough!

[jochanaan]

In addition to the Violin I play now, I've always wanted to try out the Timpani, French Horn, and Oboe. 

(Off-topic alert!)  One advantage of mastering the oboe is that, if for some reason you have to change instruments, everything else is easy by comparison!

[Larry Rinkel]

(Off-topic alert!)  One advantage of mastering the oboe is that, if for some reason you have to change instruments, everything else is easy by comparison!

Yeah, those Chopin etudes are a cinch.