tympanists

Orchestra's kettledrum performers

Tympanists are musicians who play the timpani—the large copper kettledrums found in orchestras and concert bands.

The tympanist sits at the back of the orchestra, tuning and striking the drums to provide rhythmic foundation and dramatic emphasis: The tympanists thundered through the finale.

instrument

timpani

Tunable orchestral percussion

kettledrumsTuned orchestral percussion
copperReddish-brown metallic element
bowlsDeep rounded containers

pedals · mallets · beaters · sticks · shell · heads · tuning · tension · dampening · resonance

orchestral

orchestra

Large instrumental ensemble

percussion sectionStruck instrument players
conductorOne who directs musicians
ensembleUnified group or outfit

symphony · pit · stage · score · parts · cues · tacet · tutti · maestro · philharmonic

technique

roll

List of names

strokeSudden brain blood blockage
mufflingReducing sound intensity
tuningAdjusting pitch accuracy

pedaling · dampening · striking · fortissimo · pianissimo · crescendo · decrescendo · accent · tremolo · glissando

repertoire

concerto

Solo-and-orchestra composition

symphonyExtended composition for orchestra
operaTheatrical art combining song
overtureIntroductory orchestral piece

ballet · Beethoven · Mahler · Strauss · Berlioz · recital · cadenza · audition

rhythm

beat

Rhythmic pulse or strike

tempoRate of musical performance
pulseArterial blood throb
meterDevice that measures usage

timing · entrance · cue · accent · downbeat · upbeat · measure · rest · count · precision

Opposites

orchestral role/instrument family

tympanistsviolinists

Players of bowed strings

concertmasters · soloists · vocalists · singers · conductors

percussion specialization

tympanistssnare drummers

Players of wire-bottomed drums

xylophonists

Family

tympanist

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