A type of drum categorised as a hemispherical drum, they consist of a membrane called a head stretched over a large bowl traditionally made of copper. … They are played by striking the head with a specialized drum stick called a timpani stick or timpani mallet.

How is sound produced in drums?

The vibration of the head shakes the entire drum Striking the head of the drum changes its shape and compresses the air inside the shell. … These vibrations of the top and bottom heads create vibrations in the air, which become sound, and eventually, as the head vibrations are dampened, the sound diminishes.

Is a kettle drum pitched?

Pauken; Ital. timpani; Sp. timbal), the only kind of drum having a definite musical pitch. The kettledrum consists of a hemispherical pan of copper, brass or silver, over which a piece of vellum is stretched tightly by means of screws working on an iron ring, which fits closely round the head of the drum.