Lesson No. 3
For Drummers who play tympani for fun or profit (hopefully both)
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Your first tympani and rehearsals of same!
RANGES:
 Fig. 1 |
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HEAD ADJUSTMENTS: With pedal in low note position as shown in Fig.2. tap head or flip it and check the starting note. It should match the range scale listed. Use key tension handle to adjust note up or down as shown in Fig. 1. True up pitch by dampening overtones with a cloth as shown in Fig. 1. |
 Fig. 2 |
PEDAL ADJUSTMENT: With the head properly ranged move pedal forward to top of range and remove foot to check for security. If pedal eases back slightly, apply spring tension by turning control knob to the right. Once balanced, you are in proper range and no further adjustment is needed. Floor pedal placement offers the player a balanced, comfortable playing position without an awkward stance. The “Balanced Action” mechanism allows instant pitch changes which ideally suits for the rapid tunings found in more contemporary music. |
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 Fig. 3 |
PRESSURE ADJUSTMENT: Insert your drum key on the right side of the base and turn sharply to the right. This locks in the range and backs up the spring holding power. |
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 Fig. 4 |
LUBRICATION: Like all moving metal parts, occasional lubrication provides easy, noiseless movements. Once per year lubricate with light machine oil such as Three In One Light Oil™. The point where the head bends over the kettle edge is especially critical. Once per year, remove this head and lubricate the kettle edge in the following manner. |
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 A |
REMOVING HEAD: It is extremely important to pencil the head at its present location (as shown) before removing. Failure to be do will result in distorted tonality when replaced. The head takes a “set” through use and must be returned to the same position. Remove head, while maintaining foot pressure on pedal. Then ease pedal forward. |
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 B |
WIPE CLEAN: Wipe kettle edge clean with a dry cloth. Check carefully to make certain that all grit has been removed. If necessary, use a mild cleaning agent such as glass-tex. Dry off with clean cloth. |
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 C |
WAX KETTLE EDGE: Probably no other maintenance point on timpani is as important as the kettle edge. Here the head passes over the edge many times per day. When dust and dirt accumulate at this point, scratching and screeching occurs. We use a fine household paraffin wax here at the factory and recommend you use it too. Apply a thin coating over the clean kettle edge and you will be set for a long time. |
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 D |
CLEAN HEAD: Did you ever take a look at the underside of your timpani head? If you do, you’ll be shocked- it’s filthy! Clean off with harsh soap and water, hot or cold, and wipe it clean until it sparkles! Then apply a thin coating of paraffin wax as you did on the kettle edge. Return to the kettle making sure to line up penciled mark with tension rod. Return spring tension following steps under head adjustment. |
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 E |
GREASE AND OIL: The most important lubrication points to attend to are shown. A shot of Three In One Light Oil™ every six months or so on these bell cranks will maintain noiseless operation. |
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 F |
WHEELS: Ludwig wheels are designed to provide easy movement from place to place over any terrain. Each wheel is provided with a kick-on and kick-off lock. This lock should be lubricated annually with light machine oil to provide easy and noiseless on and off action. Should you, the player, have any other questions regarding the care and tuning of Ludwig timpani please write to the Company. |
Should we stow the tympani or tympani pedals in any particular way?
Probably not for these particular design. The cardboard discs (that generally are shipped with and under the plastic or vinyl or leather covers) should rest on the heads overnight, if to just protect from any water or small debris damage that might occur when no one is around, and most band directors would want this. Tympani are at least 2500.00 a piece, and such an investment should be kept intact.
The pedals need not be moved at all. Although there is a rumor going round speaking that the pedals should be pushed to their top-most (highest pitch) overnight, but there is no real evidence doing this would somehow keep the tuning better. For both arguments for and against, the pedals are best left somewhere around their mid-point between rehearsals and practicing.
This tympani wiki is surprisingly accurate
and
more to come....(02/27/2008 03:55:21 PM -0500)
You came back for more, good. Here's Lesson 4.