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Guide To The Orchestra
timpani title image The timpani, or kettledrums, are a percussion instrument, but they always have a special part written for them. They are made from parchment or skin which is stretched across enormous copper bowls and then hit with a stick. Each drum is tuned to a different note but modern timpani can change notes after being hit, by using a foot pedal.
timpani Listen to the timpani listen to Instrument Range Listen to it played from its lowest to highest note listen to Special Effects tremolo / boat engine / glissandi / listen to Hear it in action in Strauss' Also Sprach Zarathustra
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Paul Turner Meet the Orchestra! Paul Turner plays timpani with the BBC Philharmonic in Manchester. Read about him below. Paul Turner, Timpani How old were you when you first started playing? I started playing the drum kit when I was eleven and the timps and percussion when I was fourteen/fifteen. Why did you choose that instrument specially? I vividly remember playing the opening of Brahms’ 2nd Symphony and thinking, “Wow – this is for me!” Do you play any other instruments? Yes – I still play kit and percussion – and the piano (not very well). What do you like most about playing in an orchestra? Is it fun? Being part of a team, you are able to experience some fantastic moments of music making. Orchestral tours can be great fun too. Do you play any other kinds of music? Yes – I love playing jazz. I have also played in some West End shows. What’s your favourite music? I love all music that is well written. In classical terms my favourite composers are – Mahler, Beethoven, Brahms, Strauss, Stravinsky and Wagner. Do you have any hobbies? What are they? Swimming, football, cars, vintage drums/timpani. All pictures are copyrighted - picture credits Woodwind Brass Flute Trumpet Oboe French Horn Clarinet Trombone Bassoon Tuba Strings Percussion Violin Tuned Viola Untuned Cello Timpani Double Bass Harp Keyboards Conductor LEARN AN INSTRUMENT Which instrument, which age, finding teachers, buying guide and the perils of practice Get help Get help Listening About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy Explore the BBC
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