Mr. T. you are of the main reasons I go to hear the LSO concerts in the Barbican. Your playing is spell-binding, and I cannot take my eyes off you when you play. How crazy for a seriously old person such as me not to have realized it is the timpani that sets the rhythm for the orchestra to follow... of course you do! The subtlety of your playing from deftness to powerful expression is truly brilliant. You were made to take a single bow recently at the end of the concert, and the audience went crazy for you. Just as it should be. Bravo.
That's because you are not hearing them with the orchestra. Renaissance heads have this very stringy metallic overtone that sounds kinda harsh when alone, but blends in and cuts at the same time with other instruments. I use them for many different drums, and they are the best I have ever heard. Calf theoretically sounds best but only when in tune, and that's rarely. It's almost impossible to clear calf heads for any period of time.
I don't play either and I'm watching this, lol. I've actually watched about all of this stuff with these different instruments, because they are all awesome and done by a great orchestra.
i have to agree with this. I have played timpani on a grade 6 piece. It was Parkour by Samuel Hazo. It is very hard when you are playing 16th notes and have a random 16th rest every few beats. My biggest problem is grip and rolls because you cant bounce the mallets.
I used to feel the same way. Nearly 40 years ago I was originally taught to play standing. When playing using a French grip style, standing is not at all awkward. For Beethoven or similar parts that don't require rapid tuning, standing is fine and has some long tradition to back it up. For a modern player, playing modern parts, this is no longer practical. After all, early tympani did not have pedals, so keeping both feet available was not a consideration. Modern music requires of sitting.
In my experience the Timpani is much more about the details and precision. Not the most technically demanding instrument in the orchestra but it can really make or break some sections. A talented and experienced Timapnisit will benefit those around them is what I've always found!
I really don't know the timpani technics, but I know a little bit about drums. As a beginner drummer, I don't find those examples really hard, but I know I'm wrong, he knows what he is talking about. But why is it so hard ?
Because with drums, you don't really sight read much. Timpani are percussion, but they're tuned percussion. So, it's kind of like playing a bass as a percussion. And, the rest of the orchestra depends on the percussionist to keep time, all while considering that it is a classical instrument and classical music tends to be heavily emotive. Imagine playing something written in counterpoint and if you strike the wrong drum, the whole chord gets screwed up. 😂 It is that deep.
Because it's interesting to find out about other instruments, especially if you're considering orchestrating or composing. Besides as a trombonist you should know how the rest of the players in an orchestra play so you can play with them better.
The difficult part about the Timpani isn't playing it, but is tuning. When there's a key change in the piece, you're going to have to tune them inconspicuously! Most of the time, you will only get one shot to perfectly tune the timpani. If you're tuning is off, every one will hear it and it won't sound pleasant! It's not easy to memorize the pitch and intervals!
It's kinda ignorant to say it's easy or difficult, really... I mean, it all depends how you use it. Sure if you're in an orchestra, it could be quite difficult. I wouldn't know, I've never been in that situation; however, if you're using it on your own and adding it to a song you've written etc. then it can also be quite easy. It depends completely on the written material and the situation you're playing in. Same goes for just about any other instrument too. (except for the french horn maybe)
any chances you can post a video about pedaling(pedal gliss) and maybe double pedaling. i am unfortunate to only be able to play on three timpani (highest pitch timpani was stolen) at my school so i have to compensate by pedaling but i dont think i have the right technique. also the pedal doesnt stick, so i have to keep my foot on the pedals to keep them from tightening. someone mentioned sitting on stools for timpani. i only sit down when i double pedal but most ly when i play i stand
HI, I want to find a big drum that will make a low end booming rumble for a percussion in my Church (very contemporary)... not the drummer. Is a tipani my best choice or should I use a surdo or something. If i tune this down low will it work? Thanks anyone who can help,it is very appreciated.... I love your work!
I don't know, but consider this - a percussion player is to learn and know a great variety of percussion instruments, and they are most importantly, must be extremely reliable. If you make a mistake (e.g. too loud, slightly too fast, hitting with the wrong way/technique), everyone knows and you will have no where to hide, unlike a single violinist's mistake and 10+ other violinists covering your mistake. So, knowledge of instruments + skills + rare specialist = high pay? Probably. So,
yeah I feel bad now. I didn't notice that it was supposed to be a lesson. I just wanted to hear some epic Timpani music that reminds me or War Music. It's really hard to find and I got a little frustrated. I wanted (what I consider) war music, but every video I click on is either civil war marching band junk or heavy metal crap. If you have any suggestions, please share.
Don't feel bad - Nigel has one of the fastest rolls on timps I have ever seen. I'd like to ask him if there is a way to speed up your rolls . Mine are ok on the 32 and 29 but are too slow on the 23 and 21. Watch his hands - he must be doing 10/second with each hand compared to my 6 or 7/sec - jealous !!
@@bonniebowduns431 -How fast the roll should be depends on the size drum you are playing on. Do you have a teacher? Contact the professional orchestra in your area and see if you can study with their timpanist. Then, you can get your questions answered. It’s too hard to explain in words how to properly play rolls. The power doesn’t come from just the hands. It’s a combination of movement. It’s hard to explain without showing what I mean.
Get a teacher? This stuff won’t make any sense to you for a while yet, being a beginner. That’s the best advice I can give. A teacher, lots of practice and then, later comes the repertoire.
purchase a timpani drum key and ask your band director to teach you how to clear a timpani head. assuming your high school's timpani sound like crap, nobody is going to fix it but you.
I am learning about the musical instruments used in the orchestra. Thank you very much!
Very important: Don't rush, keep it steady, again don't rush, ah and also: DON'T RUSH!
I think you forgot to mention..."don't rush!"
Mr. T. you are of the main reasons I go to hear the LSO concerts in the Barbican. Your playing is spell-binding, and I cannot take my eyes off you when you play. How crazy for a seriously old person such as me not to have realized it is the timpani that sets the rhythm for the orchestra to follow... of course you do! The subtlety of your playing from deftness to powerful expression is truly brilliant. You were made to take a single bow recently at the end of the concert, and the audience went crazy for you. Just as it should be. Bravo.
I love this instrument on so many levels. 😍
A man of true technique
"You'll look like a chump"
Thomas: "I know it sounds pretty messy without the orchestra, but..."
Mere mortals everywhere: ._.;
The overtones on his D for Beethoven 9 are killing my soul.
That's because you are not hearing them with the orchestra. Renaissance heads have this very stringy metallic overtone that sounds kinda harsh when alone, but blends in and cuts at the same time with other instruments. I use them for many different drums, and they are the best I have ever heard. Calf theoretically sounds best but only when in tune, and that's rarely. It's almost impossible to clear calf heads for any period of time.
The enigma piece sounded so cool.
Thank you for your wonderful presentation and tips!
I'm not even a classical musician, and yet I'm inspired.
Thank you. My children really liked it.
I don't play either and I'm watching this, lol. I've actually watched about all of this stuff with these different instruments, because they are all awesome and done by a great orchestra.
"Looks easy!"
~tries to play~
"The fuck is this black magic?!?"
His shirt is awesome :p
i have to agree with this. I have played timpani on a grade 6 piece. It was Parkour by Samuel Hazo. It is very hard when you are playing 16th notes and have a random 16th rest every few beats. My biggest problem is grip and rolls because you cant bounce the mallets.
hearing the timpany my safari creashed unexpectedly
I used to feel the same way. Nearly 40 years ago I was originally taught to play standing. When playing using a French grip style, standing is not at all awkward. For Beethoven or similar parts that don't require rapid tuning, standing is fine and has some long tradition to back it up. For a modern player, playing modern parts, this is no longer practical. After all, early tympani did not have pedals, so keeping both feet available was not a consideration. Modern music requires of sitting.
Ling Ling 40 years
yeah, great band, great album and that beautiful song to wrap it up, i fucking love groundation and those irregular measures
It was great, very instructive, thank you.
Excellent technique!
I love how the renaissance heads sound like a metal string. I have a few drums with them and they all have that mettalic boing to them.
Man so crispy
it gets harder once you in high school
Super. Such clarity and accuracy. Only minute quibble: Piu Allegro is subtitled as Pure Allegro (3 times!) :)
In my experience the Timpani is much more about the details and precision. Not the most technically demanding instrument in the orchestra but it can really make or break some sections. A talented and experienced Timapnisit will benefit those around them is what I've always found!
@UpcomingJedi You're kidding of course. Timps are quite challenging to play well
Increíble masterclass
After Reading all the comments here...¿Percussion section still Underrated? Time to grow up people.
I really don't know the timpani technics, but I know a little bit about drums. As a beginner drummer, I don't find those examples really hard, but I know I'm wrong, he knows what he is talking about.
But why is it so hard ?
Because with drums, you don't really sight read much. Timpani are percussion, but they're tuned percussion. So, it's kind of like playing a bass as a percussion. And, the rest of the orchestra depends on the percussionist to keep time, all while considering that it is a classical instrument and classical music tends to be heavily emotive. Imagine playing something written in counterpoint and if you strike the wrong drum, the whole chord gets screwed up. 😂 It is that deep.
Wonderfulll!!!
I played Timpani in 8th grade. I love the way they sound and how you can put them in a key with your foot! I wanted to go all "John Bonham" on them.
Because it's interesting to find out about other instruments, especially if you're considering orchestrating or composing. Besides as a trombonist you should know how the rest of the players in an orchestra play so you can play with them better.
If I had a set of timpani, I'd just spend all day playing Also Sprach Zarathustra. :)
Same.
How can he get that roll speed? Does he use fingers? That's strange!
Why is it strange?
I’m not a fan of his roll speed.
it's like chess, a minute to learn, a life time to master. Hochrainer etudes would destroy you
Classical Drum Solo!!!
The difficult part about the Timpani isn't playing it, but is tuning. When there's a key change in the piece, you're going to have to tune them inconspicuously! Most of the time, you will only get one shot to perfectly tune the timpani. If you're tuning is off, every one will hear it and it won't sound pleasant! It's not easy to memorize the pitch and intervals!
4thwatcher777 na
Isn't amazing what a masterful player can do with two or three tones ?
I personally find it easier to tune drums during pieces when im sat down and playing, it doesn't affect musicality
@uhoh38125 Use a concert bass drum. Timpani in the low end just sound wobbly.
useful to know if you are interested in performing or teaching ( another trombone player here )
i heard timpani and oboe are usually the highest paid positions.
is this true?
He makes it look easy*
I can assure you, it's not
I wouldn’t know. My home is not big enough for these things. Plus, I tend to rush things.....so
Viene voglia di suonare i timpani...
good job
This is my goal.
@teddyguy83 So the emotion goal of the timpanist isn't to create emotion himself, but to transmit it in union with the other instruments am I right ?
Viewed this video as research for a scene in Book 3 of my paranormal erotic romance series. Now I think I've fallen for Nigel.
"Don't rush."
What should be the difference between the first beat of bars 544 and 545?
@soullessSiIence Why would you be sad? Timp kicks ass!
@kryptonx13 Same here except for my school I'm currently play Timpani for our indoor Percussion program as well as Marching band, Good Luck!
awsome'
Yes I do, and look at all the professional players. Do they stand up?
u jus hit dah drum laaa
It's kinda ignorant to say it's easy or difficult, really... I mean, it all depends how you use it. Sure if you're in an orchestra, it could be quite difficult. I wouldn't know, I've never been in that situation; however, if you're using it on your own and adding it to a song you've written etc. then it can also be quite easy. It depends completely on the written material and the situation you're playing in. Same goes for just about any other instrument too. (except for the french horn maybe)
Leather sticks for this part of Beethoven 9th????Are you crazy???
nice tuning bro
any chances you can post a video about pedaling(pedal gliss) and maybe double pedaling.
i am unfortunate to only be able to play on three timpani (highest pitch timpani was stolen) at my school so i have to compensate by pedaling but i dont think i have the right technique. also the pedal doesnt stick, so i have to keep my foot on the pedals to keep them from tightening.
someone mentioned sitting on stools for timpani. i only sit down when i double pedal but most ly when i play i stand
you need a lot of hand control to handle timpani drums
HI, I want to find a big drum that will make a low end booming rumble for a percussion in my Church (very contemporary)... not the drummer. Is a tipani my best choice or should I use a surdo or something. If i tune this down low will it work? Thanks anyone who can help,it is very appreciated.... I love your work!
Allegro non Trompo? Way to go, subtitles.
I don't know, but consider this - a percussion player is to learn and know a great variety of percussion instruments, and they are most importantly, must be extremely reliable. If you make a mistake (e.g. too loud, slightly too fast, hitting with the wrong way/technique), everyone knows and you will have no where to hide, unlike a single violinist's mistake and 10+ other violinists covering your mistake.
So, knowledge of instruments + skills + rare specialist = high pay? Probably.
So,
lol i like his shirt
yeah I feel bad now. I didn't notice that it was supposed to be a lesson. I just wanted to hear some epic Timpani music that reminds me or War Music. It's really hard to find and I got a little frustrated. I wanted (what I consider) war music, but every video I click on is either civil war marching band junk or heavy metal crap. If you have any suggestions, please share.
@Toshfunk Actually Nigel is a brilliant drum kit player too, some people maybe just play different to you? Crazy idea, I know...
For everyone who says Timpani is an easy instrument, try and then speak.
anybody else notice his muffling technique? it was pretty sad, every single time he muffled the timpani made a very noticeable vibrating sound
aww he looks sad
@aaronrocs Warcraft 3 soundtrack music for a little tribal/racial twist?
Excellent old boy you'll be there in a jiffy.
I'm doing Beethoven 9 for ensemble auditions and I thought I had a good grasp, but my rolls are just absolute garbage in comparison.
Don't feel bad - Nigel has one of the fastest rolls on timps I have ever seen. I'd like to ask him if there is a way to speed up your rolls . Mine are ok on the 32 and 29 but are too slow on the 23 and 21. Watch his hands - he must be doing 10/second with each hand compared to my 6 or 7/sec - jealous !!
@@bonniebowduns431 -How fast the roll should be depends on the size drum you are playing on. Do you have a teacher? Contact the professional orchestra in your area and see if you can study with their timpanist. Then, you can get your questions answered. It’s too hard to explain in words how to properly play rolls. The power doesn’t come from just the hands. It’s a combination of movement. It’s hard to explain without showing what I mean.
@Toshfunk but this is not drumset now is it?
pardon me, is the D a lil bit on the flat side?
Are you a percussionist ?
Release the khrp
hitting the timpani is easy, BUT, tuning it and memorize the pitches and where you must hit id very difficult, so it's a diffucult instrument
ok but what kind of sound is this?
But... what makes it really hard?
I'm just a beginning percussionist, can anyone add anything helpful onto what he said?
Get a teacher? This stuff won’t make any sense to you for a while yet, being a beginner. That’s the best advice I can give. A teacher, lots of practice and then, later comes the repertoire.
purchase a timpani drum key and ask your band director to teach you how to clear a timpani head. assuming your high school's timpani sound like crap, nobody is going to fix it but you.
Looks easy
what timpani is it, please.?
I play the trombone...why the hell am i watching this...(very nice by the way)
Mood 😂😂 But it's sooo good!
its really hard just telling you its not easy
Sounds like a Trong Drum
I was trolling ;p
I had the first excerpt for a symphony audition and I'm in 8th grade -_-
So how's college?
french grip all the way huh?
fabulous player, does look like mr myagi from karate kid though!
@Maybe listen to what he says, you might learn something...
What kind of timpani are those?
Aenhelt Timpani made by Lefima
i suppose you sit down while playing. :P
I hate when the other percussionists in my band play Timpani. They can't do it right.
But i have dear sir, but i have...People now sit, even when they dont have to. To each his own, i'm sorry if i have offended you.
Good luck if you have no ear.
@milillom Who cares what you think anyways?
right..I dont play the Timpani and even i know that its difficult to master....are you a muscian?
is this guy gonna play eventually or just talk the whole fuckin time