Common Timpani Issues

With contest season in full swing, you may start to notice some issues with your timpani. Timpani are one of the more misunderstood percussion instruments with regards to function and reparability, but knowing some common issues that occur can give you a better understanding of what to check.

Issue #1 – The Pedals Slip (Won’t stay in position)

When the pedal on timpani is not holding either in the high or low position it is more often than not related to the range of the drums.  Over time, the heads continue to stretch and can cause the drums to become out of range and thus not allowing spring and head to be balanced with tension.  This is the first thing to check if you have pedal issues.  You should check that the lowest note on each drum is correct as seen below:

If the pedal slips forward from the lowest position, it likely means that the drum is too low and needs to be brought up to the correct low note.  Holding the pedal in the heel down (low position) make small adjustments to each tension rod until you have the lowest note.

If the pedal is moving back from the upper position, it likely means you need to add a little bit of tension to the spring.  However, it is important to check the low note and make sure you have this first.  If the low note is correct, adjust the spring.

Issue #2 – The Pedal is Hard to Move or is Stuck

This can be caused by many things, but the first thing to check is that nothing appears to be broken or snapped as this can cause things to stop working completely.  More than likely, the balance between the head and spring are not correct so checking these first is a good idea.  Other things to check would be the braking systems being to tight and thus not allowing the pedals to move freely.  On Ludwig drums this can be found under the pedal while on Yamaha drums this is often found near the center under the bowl.

Issue #3 – The Drums Won’t Stay in Tune

If you are having issues with the drums constantly going low after tuning them up it likely means you are in need of a head change.  Timpani heads should be changed every one to two years depending on your daily usage.

If you just changed the heads recently and they just don’t sound great or don’t seem to hold a pitch well they likely need to be cleared and tuned up by a professional.  Since the process of clearing and getting timpani in tune with themselves can be tricky it is best to have someone familiar with the process check out the drums.

If you notice something that is not listed here, it is likely something that will need to be inspected and serviced by a professional repair technician. You may find yourself understanding what the cause of the issue may be but not confident in fixing the issue.  Give us a call at 317-813-2070 and we can make a visit to your school to ensure your timpani are in top working condition.

Chops Percussion will be selling Tama gear used by Pi Percussion during the 2024 WGI season. This is a HUGE opportunity to save on gear that has only been used for a less than 2 months. If you’re looking to upgrade your battery percussion or your front ensemble gear, this is the time to do just that.

In order to reserve an item we must have a PO from your school, check or credit card payment. We will arrange delivery to you in the final weeks of April/May 2024. Keep an eye on the list to see what is still available and give us a call to get more information!

To check out the currently available gear, click here!

With the weather we experienced across Indiana last weekend, we though it would be a great idea to share some tips we have found useful over the years that will help you be prepared for anything on the day of the show. What are some useful tips you can share with others?

• Be sure to check the weather report the day before the event
• Think about what the students will wear when uploading your trailer and moving equipment inside.
• Have students bring a change of shoes and socks to keep their feet dry and free from slipping on the tarp.
• Have covers and tarps ready in case of unexpected rain or snow.
• Plan on spending a little extra time tuning indoors if your equipment sat on a trailer for a long drive or the night before.
• Have some hand warmers on hand to help get students hands warm before going into warmup.
• Be sure to check all electronics and cables for excessive moisture once inside. And have some extra on hand just in case.
• Have extra towels and cloths to dry equipment after moving inside for warmup. This will not only help protect the equipment but your mallets and sticks as well.
• Try not to adjust your routine to much, but be ready to move a little quicker than normal. Have student leaders, staff and parents find the quickest and safest route inside.

Be sure to stay safe and calm when fast with adverse conditions and remember that everyone is doing there best to manage a situation out of their control. We look forward to warmer days ahead and seeing you all performing soon!

Chops Percussion will be selling all of the Pearl/Adams gear used by Veritas Percussion during the 2024 WGI season. This is a HUGE opportunity to save on gear that has only been used for a few months. If you’re looking to upgrade your battery percussion or your front ensemble gear, this is the time to do just that.

In order to reserve an item we must have a PO from your school, check or credit card payment. We will arrange delivery to you in the final weeks of April/May 2024. Keep an eye on the list to see what is still available and give us a call to get more information!

To check out the currently available gear, click here!

Welcome back to the Chops blog.  The Indoor Percussion Association (IPA) season is about to begin, and we’re proud to once again be the presenting sponsor for the Indiana Percussion Association!  Indoor Percussion continues to grow in popularity within the state and across around the world.  We’re lucky to have one of the best and largest indoor percussion circuits in the country, and we’re proud to support the efforts of IPA and all of the participating groups. Along with local IPA contests, there’s also a national WGI regional, hosted by Franklin Central, where you can see performances by ensembles from all over the Midwest.

Here’s a schedule of remaining contests to help you find a show near you!