Online Timpani Studio

Timpani Excerpts

A New Twist on Beethoven Symphony No. 8 The NSO recently performed Beethoven's Eighth Symphony. The timpani part at the end of the last movement contains fast 'F' octaves.

Generally, the timpani player will cross-stick this passage using the two middle drums (29" and 26"). However, for this performance I decided to use an additional large drum where the 23" drum normally resides.

I adopted this set up and played the low Fs on the 29" and my right-hand 31" drum (first striking the 31" drum with the right-hand then the 29" with the left-hand, etc.) and the high Fs on the 26" drum. Since the cross-sticking was completely eliminated I found that I was able to play the above passage quite loud in an extremely quick tempo.

Other Online Lessons:

Brahms: Symphony No. 1

Mozart: Symphony No. 39

Beethoven: Symphony No. 9