Timpani Warm-Up

This 3-minute (2 page) warm-up routine for four timpani is a quick approach to getting "reacquainted" with the drums with physical preparation to indulge in a practice, rehearsal, or performance setting. The technical structure touches on relaxed lifting strokes, lateral flow around the drums, drum-to-drum shifts (sticking-based), tonal and rhythmic evenness, grace notes, roll development, roll shifts and slurs, dotted rhythms, muffling, forte-piano rolls, and staccato strokes. [Stickings offered were developed with order of large drum on player’s left; right-handed player.]