| D kettledrum (bass kettledrum: 75–80 cm): | C2, D2 – H2, C3 |
|---|---|
| F kettledrum (high kettledrum: 55–60 cm): | C3 – G#3 |
Can the timpani play different notes?
The range of the 29” drum can go from F up to D and the 26” drum can go from Bb to F#. With these pitches available you’ll be able to play most two drum timpani parts.
Can timpani play lots of pitches?
Tuning modern orchestral timpani is continuous. You can tune to any frequency. Also, in some compositions, the timpanist is required to re-tune the drums to different pitches while the orchestra is playing around them.
