There are several types of mallets, stretching from Bell kit plastic mallets, to yarn Marimba mallets, to Timpani Mallets, and all the way to Bass Drum Mallets. Marimba mallets come in different sizes so you can have a different echo and tone when you are playing. Bell Kit mallets are hard so the sound rings out, same with Timpani mallets, except they have soft ends that vibrate the heads of the Timpani, causing the echo all percussionists appreciate, and bass drum mallets have soft but firm ends so that when they strike the head of the drum, it delivers the BOOM all band directors love.
The timpani are large drums that are tuned using a foot pedal. When you press down on the pedal the pitch of the timpani rises, and when you release the pedal the pitch falls. The timpani are played usually with soft sticks, or mallets, but sometimes the player is directed to play with wooden mallets or even maracas (shakers)! Timpani are made with a copper or fibreglass shell and a plastic head (drum skin). Just an FYI, timpani is an Italian word, making the singular timpano, and the plural timpani.
Generally soft, but not always it depends on the composer. 90% of the time soft though.
Vic Firth sell a range of drum sticks and other associated drumming paraphernalia such as; brushes, keyboard mallets and timpani mallets as well as supplies for concert implements.
A marimba is not a drum; it is a percussion instrument that consists of wooden bars struck with mallets to produce musical notes. Timpani and bass drums, on the other hand, are both classified as drums. The timpani produces pitched sounds and is often used in orchestras, while the bass drum is unpitched and provides a deep, resonant sound.
Percussion Family. The Timpani is struck by mallets ... any instrument that requires a percussive touch is a member of this family ... surprisingly enough, and a little known fact, the Piano is also a member of the Percussion Family ... a key must be struck to produce a tone!!
Do you know the tempo? What is the time signature? What instruments are needed for this piece? Who will play each part? Do we have the right mallets? If the timpani is needed, is it tuned correctly?
Timpani can produce a wide range of dynamics, from soft to very loud. Their volume depends on how they are played, as players can use different mallets and techniques to control the sound. While they can deliver powerful, resonant tones that stand out in orchestral settings, they can also be played gently for softer passages. Overall, timpani are known for their ability to blend and contrast with other instruments in an ensemble.
Timpani produce a deep, resonant sound that varies in pitch depending on the tension of the drumhead. When struck with mallets, they create a rich, warm tone that can be both melodic and rhythmic. The sound can be bright and sharp or mellow and rounded, depending on the mallet material and playing technique. Timpani are often used to add dramatic emphasis and color in orchestral and ensemble music.
The largest instrument in the percussion family is typically considered to be the timpani, also known as kettle drums. These drums have a large bowl-like shape and are played with mallets to produce a deep, resonant sound.
Either rubber or wooden mallets can be used. The rubber mallets produce a softer attack than wooden mallets. Yarn mallets tend to be used on the vibraphone, and give an even softer attack.
you'll need a copper bowl and calfskin or thin plastic stretched over the bowl to create the drum head and some other stuff for other parts like the pedal and the stand adn the mallets.