By: Tony Edwards
Step 1: Buying new head
The most common mistake when changing timpani heads is purchasing the wrong
head. With varying timpani sizes and the introduction of the extended collar
(head extends 1 inch past bowl) it is no wonder why this is confusing. The best
solution is to simply measure the head before purchasing a new one. To
get an accurate measurement you must measure the inside of the rim of the head.
Step 2: Head removal
Head removal of spring tension system
Because this method involves a spring, which applies tremendous pressure,
incorrect head removal could result in severe damage to the pedal. Though there
are several ways to correctly remove a head this is the method I have found
most useful.
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With your foot, press pedal placing the drum in it’s highest range.
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While keeping pressure applied to the pedal begin loosening the tension rods
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Once you have completed a full rotation around the drum you should be able to
release the pedal and it will stay down.
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Continue loosening the tension rods and remove them.
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Remove counter hoop and head.
Head removal of Dresden system
To help balance the tension produced by the head, the base of these drums are
very heavy. A cross bar located under the base is held in place by only the
tension of the head. Once the tension rods are removed this bar will drop to
the floor. Not only is this extremely difficult to re-install but could result
in a broke toe. To prevent this from happening place an object under the drum
to act as a brace. (phone books work great for this!) Once the brace is in
place loosen all tension rods and remove counter hoop and head.
Step 3: Label head
I have found it very helpful to label heads before installing them on the
timpani. You can label institutional information, head size, or date of
installation to help track it’s age.
The best way to do label a head is to mark the “inside” .
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Place a piece of scotch tape (see through) on the top (batter side) of the head
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Write the information on the tape
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Turn the head over and then trace the writing
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Remove the tape and “ta-da” it is labeled from the inside
Step 4: Lubricate bearing edge
Teflon Tape
To prevent “creaking” and improve resonance, it is necessary to lubricate the
bearing edge of the bowl. Throughout history timpanist have used various
products for this purpose such as wax and graphite powder. The best product I
have found is Teflon tape. This is NOT the kind you find at your local hardware
store but an adhesive Teflon tape. This product is very hard to find and is not
available at most regular music stores. The best supplier is Steve Weiss
Percussion.
Drum Preparation
Once you have removed the head you can make any internal repairs, such as dent
removal, cleaning the inside of the bowl, or gauge installation. Before you
begin installing the new head, check the bearing edge for lubrication. If the
drum had been installed with Teflon tape and the tape is still in good
condition continue to the next step. But if the tape is damaged or another form
of lubrication had been used, then I would recommend installing fresh tape.
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Remove any damaged tape or debris from edge.
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Clean the bearing edge with steel wool.
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Wipe bearing edge with cloth. Do not use any solvent (especially petrolium
based).
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Make sure edge is dry before applying fresh tape.
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Place the tape (adhesive side down) on the bearing edge and as you roll out the
tape apply pressure with the thumb.
Step 5: Head installation
Before you begin the process first inspect the new heads for any damage in
shipping. This can be identified by a wrinkle in the head. You would be
surprised how common this is! Sometimes the rim of the head may get dented in
shipping thus knocking the head “out of round” or “flush” (flat). If this
happens the head is useless. Return it to the vendor for a replacement.
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Place the counter hoop on head.
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Put in tension rods in and lightly finger tighten, but allow enough give so the
head can move.
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Center the head on the drum.
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Continue finger tightening until tension rods become taught.
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With a timpani key turn each tension rod 1/2 turn. It is very important to
tighten each tenstion rod using a spider pattern.
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Continue this process until there is enough pressure that the pedal is
balanced.
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Place drum in it's lowest register and check that head is still centered.
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Continue tightening tension rods until drum is in it's correct range.
| Drum
|
Lowest note |
| 32" |
D |
|
29" |
F |
|
26"
|
A |
|
23"
|
C |
Step 6: Clearing a head
The term clearing a head refers to the method whereby each tension rod
is adjusted so that it is applying equal pressure. This is extremely important
for timpani. Since timpani have to be tuned to a specific pitch it is important
that the drum produce a clear tone free of pitch bends or beads (the sound that
you get when two instruments are played slightly out of tune). There have been
several methods used to clear timpani heads, but the best (idiot proof) method
I have found is the use of a drum dial (a device that measures head tension)
There are many versions, and they can be purchased at most music stores (est.
price $80).
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Place the drum so that it is in it’s lowest range.
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Start at any lug on the drum. Place the edge of the dial so that it is sitting
on the bearing edge of the drum. Get a reading from the dial (It tends to be
between 75-80)
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Move the dial to the next adjacent lug. When clearing the head I do not
recommend using the “cross-tuning” method.
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If you get a lug that is dramatically off it is recommended to move back one
and recheck. As you alter each lug it can affect lugs on adjacent sides
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Work your way around the entire drum at least two times until all the tension
rods register the same number. It’s not important what number it is, just as
long they are all the same.
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Once you’ve completed this check the pitch of the drum to make sure it’s
correct (lowest pitch). If not, tighten or loosen the tension to get the pitch
approximate and then repeat steps 1-5
Step 7: Shimming
Sometimes you may encounter a situation where one of the lugs registers a high
tension even though you can remove the rod. This is often the result of a
counter hoop that has gone out of flush. If this problem occurs the drum will
never clear properly. A method that can cheaply solve this problem is called shimming.
You will need the following supplies:
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Black non-permanent felt marker
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Washers (3/16)
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Mole skin
How to shim:
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Using the felt marker place a mark on the head, counter hoop and strut. This is
to ensure that when you put the counter hoop back on it will install exactly in
the same position.
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Remove counter hoop, turn over and place on table.
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Cut mole skin to the same width as the inside of the counter hoop.
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Using mole skin tape in 1-3 washer.
 
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Place counter hoop back on drum and make sure you line up your marks.
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Re-install and clear head.
Step 8: Collar
If you have ever removed a timpani head you will notice there is a crease where
the head and bearing edge lined up. This crease ,called a collar, is
very important for tone production. It is created through tension. To make sure
a good collar is created, it is recommended that you depress the pedal to the
drums highest pitch, let it sit overnight, and do not play on it.
Final adjustments
Chances are the head will stretch the following day and slight adjustment may
need to be made. Using only quarter turns on each tension rod go around the
drum. With each pass, check to make sure the correct pitch is achieved. It is
also common that the head will continue to stretch for about a week. Simply
check periodically and make adjustments if needed.
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By: Tony Edwards
A. This is a very common problem among timpani that use a
spring tension pedal system and tends to be the result of improper head
tension. Before I discuss this process let me say one very important thing----DO
NOT ADJUST ANY KNOBS AT THE BASE OF THE DRUM!!!!!. This tends to
be the first course of action and could result in making the problem worse. The
symptom of a "slipping pedal" occurs only with timpani that use a spring
tension pedal system. A spring, located in the base of the drum, acts as a
counterbalance to the tension created by the head. When the tension is unequal
the pedal will slip. Usually, the head loses tension from wear or weather
changes: heat will make the head expand, cold will make it contract. The spring
is designed to counter a specific amount of pressure. In order to restore this
tension the head must be tuned to a specific pitch interval (D-A as opposed to
C-G). The best way to accomplish this is to tune the timpani's lowest pitch.
This will restore the drum to factory specifications. Push the pedal so that
the drum plays the lowest possible pitch (the heal of the pedal should be on
floor). Tune the timpani accordingly.
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32"-Lowest pitch D
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29"-Lowest pitch F
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26"-Lowest pitch A
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23"-Lowest pitch C
Once the drums are tuned to the appropriate pitch the problem should be solved.
But, if it does not, the tension in the spring must be adjusted. Find the
adjustment knob at the base of the timpani. On Ludwig drums it will be a large
knob directly in front of the pedal. On Yamaha drums it will be found under the
heal of the pedal. If the pedal lunges forward then loosen the tension knob. If
the pedal lunges back then tighten the tension knob.
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A. This usually occurs when the pitch is to low in the drum's
register. For example: Most players will tune a C on the 26" drum. This is low
in the drum's register, but high for the 29". C played at a medium volume will
be fine on a 26" drum, but if the piece requires you to play long passages
(such as rolls) at very loud volumes the 29" drum would be a better choice.
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A. There are two types of timpani felt: German-which is a
softer felt and American-which is a harder felt. The best place can be found at
California Percussion. com. You can find German felt at
Steve Weiss Percussion
, and American felt can be found at American Piano Felt (210) 777-3600.
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A. This has become the most popular product to use as a
lubricant between the bowl lip and head. It is not the same kind of teflon tape
you'll find at your local hardware store.
Here are a couple places that carry teflon tape:
Steve Weiss Percussion
Mr. Marshall E. Light
American Drum Manufacturing Co.
P.O. Box 40403
Denver, CO 80204
-highly recommended
Lefima (USA) now has a kit available w/ Teflon Tape, Teflon Aerosol Spray,
Grease & Grease Gun for grease fittings. Also available separately. Prices
on request.
Contact Everett M. Beale, U.S. Agent. Tel/Fax: 978-649-7685
web: www.lefima-usa.com.
Marion Rubber Company
Contact person: Becky Schneider
Indianapolis, IN
(317) 638-6525
Specific Information on the Teflon Tape:
3M Teflon Tape
model # R5480 JK 7105 77
3/4" width x 36 yards
Each roll is about $35 or so - Marion Rubber Company offers a "blister pack" -
which is a package of 2 rolls.
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