Band Teachers’ Corner#2: Tympani Tuning andPedal Slip
If you have tympani in your classroom, you have to maintain them and tune the drum heads in order to keep the pedal system working properly.
1) Learn the tuning system of your tympani
The three main brands found in the majority of band classrooms in North America are Ludwig,Yamaha and Adams. These tympani function with spring tension pedals. Some older drums might be on a ratchet, or Dresden system. In this article I talk specifically about Spring Tension tympani tuning and pedals.
2) Budget and prioritize what you need
If you can tune your tympani and get the pedals to function that way, this is a big money saver. Tympani heads are very expensive, but honestly worth the investment. If you’re able to hire a local percussionist to assess your tympani and what they need, and to get them to tune them, it’s worth it. But if you are out of range for someone to come tune your tympani, you can do it yourself. First, you need to sort out the range of your tympani based on size and make. Measure from inside the rim to the inside of the rim to get your size.
3) Tuning Ranges for Tympani
Your tympani ranges vary depending on the make of your drums. Ludwig drums tend to have this bass clef range:
32” E - Bb, 29” A - D, 26” Bb - F, 23” C - G or A
YAMAHA tympani have a larger note range:
32” D - Bb, 29” F - Db, 26” A - F, 23” C - Ab
4) Tuning the Drums
To tune your tympani, you need the manufacturer’s tuning key. This is not a standard drum tuning key. The tension rods are larger on a tympano than on a regular hooped drum.
Next, step on the pedal so the HEEL of the pedal is to the floor. This is the LOWEST note on the drum. Keep your foot in the lowest position, and stay standing on the pedal while you tap around the drum to assess the lowest tuning of the drum. Tune the tension rods one at a time, across from each in a star pattern, listening to the main pitch overtone while tapping near the edge of the drum, where you would normally get the best tone out of your drum (1-2” from the edge). Adjust tuning rod tension to the specific note, then fine tune the pitch with smaller partial turns. If you are in the correct tuning range for the drum, the pedal should stay relatively in place. If there is a lot of slipping up or down, you will need to adjust the tension adjustment of the pedal.
5) Adjust pedal tension
This step is only necessary if your tension issues are not resolved by the tuning of the head into range. The pedal tension adjustment on a Ludwig tympani is on the base of the bowl. It will look like a T rod or a dial and it is under the drum. This can be somewhat difficult to turn. Yamaha tension adjustment rod is at the base of the pedal, with a lug to use the key with, on the heel of the pedal. Turning to the right will tighten the tension, turning to the left will loosen the tension. It may take a few tries to sort out if the tension is correct, but please do NOT over loosen the tension. This will make the spring adjustment fall off. When in doubt, call a professional.
The Video Below is a great quick video to help you get through this process. Thank you, McCafferty Percussion, for permission to use their video for educational purposes.
Resources for tuning tympani: