timpani

Everyday

Timpani are large, round, bowl-shaped drums made of copper with skin or plastic stretched over the top, played with soft-headed sticks in an orchestra; they are also called kettledrums. Unlike most drums, each one can be tuned to play a particular note. tree →

In the lessons

In music lessons pupils learn timpani are in the percussion section at the back of the orchestra; the player (timpanist) uses pedals to change the pitch. They make rolls like thunder and dramatic booming beats, for example in "Also sprach Zarathustra" and many symphonies. Phrases: "timpani roll", "play the timpani".

Examples

• The timpani boomed like thunder at the end of the piece. tree →
• The timpanist tuned the drums with foot pedals. tree →
• Timpani are also called kettledrums. tree →
• An orchestra usually has two to five timpani. tree →
• The timpani roll made the music feel scary. tree →
• Each timpano can play a different note. tree →
• We saw the timpani at the back of the orchestra. tree →

Note

Plural word from Italian; it takes a plural verb: "The timpani are loud." One drum: "a timpano" (rare) or "one of the timpani". Sometimes spelled "tympani". Pronounced "TIM-puh-nee".