Timpani (kettledrums) are large kettle-shaped drums with a definite pitch, tuned to specific notes. They're one of the few percussion instruments that produce an exact pitch, so timpani are the foundation of the percussion section of the symphony orchestra, the wind orchestra and the concert band. The sound is produced with mallets (soft sticks). Timpani are usually used as a set of several instruments of different sizes. We'll suggest timpani for your ensemble and tasks.

What size and range of timpani?

A timpani's size (bowl diameter) determines its pitch range: the larger the bowl, the lower the sound. The largest timpani, around 32″, gives the lowest notes, while the smallest, around 23″, gives the highest. Each timpani covers a range of about a fifth, and a set of four together covers the needed notes of the orchestral repertoire. The size is chosen by the notes you need to play. We'll suggest a size set for your repertoire and ensemble needs.

What heads and mallets do you need?

Modern timpani most often have plastic (Mylar) heads — they're stable, durable and unaffected by humidity; traditional timpani use calfskin heads for a specific warm tone. They're played with timpani mallets with heads of various hardness: soft ones give a deep, rounded tone, hard ones a clear articulated attack. A player needs a set of mallets for different tasks. We'll suggest heads and mallets for your timpani.

Timpani for an orchestra, school or learning?

For a symphony and concert orchestra, professional pedal timpani with a copper bowl are chosen — they give the best tone and quick tuning. For schools and educational institutions, fiberglass pedal timpani are practical — more affordable and stronger. For beginner learning and a limited budget, hand-tuned timpani are suitable. The choice depends on the ensemble's level and funds. We'll suggest timpani exactly for your orchestra, school or curriculum.

Which brands do you offer and where to buy?

Timpani from Adams, Yamaha, Majestic, Premier and other brands — pedal and hand-tuned, with copper and fiberglass bowls, individually and in sets, plus mallets and heads. We select by type, bowl and ensemble. Timpani are a bulky instrument, so we clarify delivery terms separately; pickup in Kyiv (Olzhycha St, 15). Warranty, instalments, Prozorro tenders for orchestras and schools. Phone +380 (73) 060 01 01.

Timpani

Q: How are timpani tuned?

There are two main tuning types. Pedal timpani are tuned with the foot via a pedal that changes the head tension and pitch — this allows quick retuning right during play, so pedal timpani are the standard of the professional orchestra. Hand-tuned (chain) timpani are tuned with screws by hand — slower but cheaper, so this option is chosen for learning and the beginner level. Most concert works require pedal timpani. We'll suggest a tuning type for your needs.

Q: How many timpani are in a set?

A standard orchestral set consists of four timpani roughly 32″, 29″, 26″ and 23″ in diameter — together they cover the whole needed range. For small ensembles and learning, a set of two or three instruments is sometimes taken. Professional orchestras may have five timpani for an extended repertoire. Individual timpani are added to an existing set. We'll suggest the optimal set composition for your ensemble and repertoire.

Q: A copper or fiberglass bowl?

The bowl (resonator) determines the timpani's sound. A copper bowl is the professional standard: it gives the richest, warm and resonant tone, but is heavier and more expensive. A fiberglass bowl is lighter, stronger and far more affordable, with a somewhat simpler sound — a practical choice for schools, educational institutions and budget-limited ensembles. For the concert stage, copper is chosen; for learning and budget — fiberglass. We'll suggest the bowl material for your tasks and funds.

Pedal and hand-tuned, copper and fiberglass bowls — Adams, Yamaha, Majestic

Timpani (kettledrums) are large kettle-shaped drums with a definite pitch, the foundation of the percussion section of the symphony and wind orchestra. They're tuned by pedal (professional, quick tuning during play) or by hand/chain (student). The bowl can be copper (the best tone) or fiberglass (affordable, for schools). They're usually taken as a set of 4 (32/29/26/23″). They're played with mallets. At SoundsGood — Adams, Yamaha, Majestic, Premier. Genuine timpani, delivery across Ukraine.

🦶Pedal
Foot tuning

🥁Copper/fiberglass bowl
Tone or budget

🎼Set of 4
32/29/26/23″

🥢Mallets
Various hardness

🥁 Popular timpani

Adams

Set of 4 pedal timpani (32/29/26/23″)

A full orchestral set of four pedal timpani (32″, 29″, 26″, 23″) — a professional instrument for the symphony orchestra.

Learn more → Yamaha

Pedal timpani 26″

A single 26″ pedal timpani — quick foot tuning during play. Convenient to add to an existing set.

Learn more → Majestic

Timpani with a fiberglass bowl

A timpani with a fiberglass bowl — lighter, stronger and more affordable. A practical choice for schools and educational institutions.

Learn more → Adams

Timpani with a copper bowl (professional)

A professional timpani with a hammered copper bowl — a rich, warm and resonant tone for the concert stage.

Learn more → Premier

Hand-tuned timpani (student)

Hand-tuned (chain) timpani — an affordable option for learning and the beginner level, without a pedal mechanism.

Learn more → Vic Firth

Timpani mallets

Timpani mallets of various hardness — from soft for a deep tone to hard for a clear attack.

Learn more →

Timpani are an investment for an orchestra or school. Write us your ensemble and repertoire — we'll match a set and mallets.

🧩 Types of timpani

🦶 Pedal

The tuning changes by pedal right during play — the standard of the professional orchestra for quick retuning to new notes.

🔧 Hand / chain tuned

The tuning is set with screws by hand — slower but cheaper. An option for learning and the beginner level.

🥁 Copper bowl

A hammered copper resonator — the richest, warm and resonant tone. The professional standard for the concert stage.

🪶 Fiberglass bowl

A fiberglass resonator — lighter, stronger and more affordable. A practical choice for schools and educational institutions.

🎯 How to choose timpani

🦶 Pedal or hand

For an orchestra and concerts — pedal (quick tuning); for learning and budget — hand (chain) tuned.

🥁 Bowl material

Copper — the best tone for the stage; fiberglass — lightness, strength and affordability for schools. Depends on level and funds.

🎼 Size and set

Standard — a set of 4 (32/29/26/23″); for small ensembles — 2–3. A larger bowl means a lower sound.

🎵 Head

Plastic (Mylar) — stable and durable; calfskin — a traditional warm tone. Depends on tradition and conditions.

🏛️ For an orchestra or school

Symphony orchestra — copper pedal; school — fiberglass; learning — hand-tuned. To the ensemble's level.

🛡️ Brand

Genuine Adams, Yamaha, Majestic, Premier with consistent quality. We'll suggest timpani for your ensemble.

📊 Timpani by purpose

Item	Type	Bowl	Purpose
Set of 4	Pedal	Copper	Symphony orchestra
Pedal 26″	Pedal	Copper/fiberglass	Set addition
Fiberglass	Pedal	Fiberglass	School, learning
Copper (pro)	Pedal	Copper	Concert stage
Hand-tuned	Chain	Fiberglass	Beginner learning
Mallets	Accessory	—	Playing timpani

Not sure what you need? Write your ensemble type and repertoire, and we'll match timpani and mallets.

⭐ Percussion and orchestra

Percussion

Gongs

Tam-tam and orchestral gongs for stage and orchestra.

Learn more → Cymbals

Marching & orchestral cymbals

Hand pairs and suspended cymbals for the orchestra.

Learn more → Drums

Snare drums

Snare drums for orchestra and band.

Learn more → Cymbals

Drum cymbals

Hi-hat, crash, ride, splash and packs.

Learn more → Kits

Acoustic kits

Complete kits for stage and rehearsal.

Learn more → All

Drums & percussion

Kits, drums, cymbals, percussion and accessories.

Learn more →

🏆 Delivery, warranty and instalments

🛡️

Official warranty

Genuine timpani with a warranty

🥁

Global brands

Adams, Yamaha, Majestic, Premier

🎯

Help choosing

We'll suggest the set, bowl and mallets

🏛️

Prozorro tenders

Supplies for orchestras, schools and philharmonics

🚚

Delivery across Ukraine

A bulky instrument — terms clarified

💳

Instalment payments

PrivatBank, monobank — up to 12 payments

❓ Frequently asked questions

What are timpani?

Large kettle-shaped drums with a definite pitch, tuned to specific notes. One of the few percussion instruments with an exact pitch — the foundation of the orchestra's percussion section. Played with mallets, usually as a set.

How are timpani tuned?

Pedal — by foot via a pedal, quickly and right during play (the orchestra standard); hand (chain) tuned — with screws by hand, slower and cheaper (for learning). Concert repertoire requires pedal timpani.

How many timpani are in a set?

A standard orchestral set is 4 (≈32/29/26/23″), covering the range. For small ensembles — 2–3; professionals sometimes have 5. Individual ones are added to a set.

A copper or fiberglass bowl?

Copper — the richest, warm resonant tone, the professional standard, more expensive and heavier; fiberglass — lighter, stronger and more affordable, for schools. Stage — copper, learning — fiberglass.

What size and range?

A larger bowl means a lower sound: ≈32″ gives the lowest notes, ≈23″ the highest. Each covers about a fifth, and a set of 4 covers the repertoire. The size is chosen by the notes.

What heads and mallets?

Plastic (Mylar) — stable and durable; calfskin — a traditional warm tone. Mallets of various hardness: soft — a deep tone, hard — a clear attack. A set of mallets is needed.

For an orchestra, school or learning?

Symphony orchestra — copper pedal; school — fiberglass pedal; beginner learning — hand-tuned. To the ensemble's level and budget.

Which brands and where to buy?

Adams, Yamaha, Majestic, Premier — pedal and hand, copper and fiberglass, individually and in sets, mallets and heads. A bulky instrument — delivery clarified; pickup in Kyiv. Phone +380 (73) 060 01 01.