The timpani, which is more commonly known as the kettledrum, are a member of the percussion family.
The main body of the drum is typically made of copper and the top that stretches over the copper body to create the part of the drum that is hit with drum sticks, is typically made out of a type of calf skin or plastic.
To play this particular drum, there are a specific kind of drum stick that must by used, which is called a timpani mallet or stick.
What makes this particular drum unique is the fact that they can be tuned to produce a definite pitch when struck by a timpani stick.
To be more specific in the construction of the timpani, the body on more expensive models is made out of copper.
Cheaper models are made out of aluminum or fiberglass.
The skin or top of the drum is attached to the drum by a hoop which fits over the skin on the side.
This is then held on by another hoop, known as the counterhoop.
As mentioned before, the head of the timpani or kettledrum is mad out of calf skin, goat skin or plastic.
Before playing, these drums also need to be tuned.
If the drum is not tuned properly, then a different pitch will be made each time the drummer strikes the drum with the drum stick.
When the drum is tuned properly, the pitch will be perfect with each strike of the drum stick and a nice sound will be created.
The drum is tuned by adjusting the tuning screws around the circumference of the drum.
Only when these screws have equal pressure will the right sound be produced.
Otherwise, the sound will be off and the drummer will not get the right pitch when they strike the drum.
Choosing to play the drums appears to be a common decision among many younger people.
Some even make the mistake that playing the drums is fairly simple.
While it can be for some, playing the drum can be difficult too.
It depends on what kind of drummer a person decides to be.
When starting to learn how to play the timpani, a person might need some practice and some time to become familiar in how to detect the right sound the drum should make.
Really, it is like playing many other kinds of instruments.
It takes time and practice to learn, but in the end it can be rewarding.
There are many people who will pick this up to play in bands and attempt to make a musical career out of it, but there are also many other people who will take up this kind of drum as a hobby.
They like to play it, they find it relaxing and they find it a great release from a long day.
It is up to the musician in the end whether they believe they need a new timpani drum or a used one.
In many cases, finding used ones can save money and they can work just as well as a new one if it has been taken care of properly.