Timpani

Timpani, also known as kettledrums, are large, tunable percussion instruments with a deep, resonant sound. They consist of a copper or fiber shell with a stretched drumhead made of animal hide or synthetic material. Musicians use a mallet to strike the head, producing a precise pitch that can be adjusted by tightening or loosening screws around the rim. Timpani are commonly used in orchestras to provide rhythmic foundation, dramatic accents, and tonal color, often playing in harmony with other percussion or melodic instruments to shape the overall sound of a piece.