When I first started to play percussion and timpani there were only a few manufactures of sticks and mallets in the market place. Vic Firth was just getting started with his snare drum stick and timpani mallet production and distribution. If you wanted a timpani mallet there were sticks made by Ludwig and Payson as […]
Timpani Grip and a Simple Exercise
By
There are two fundamental timpani mallet grips in use among the worlds’ timpani players. I use the French Grip which has a thumbs up and palms facing each other profile and there are many German Grip players who play with a palms down and thumbs to the side profile. The French Grip that I play […]
How to Hold the Timpani Mallets
By
A firm relaxed grip that allows for the wrist to move freely is what makes a good timpani mallet grip. I play with what is generally referred to as the French Grip or really the American Grip. The profile of this grip is that the palms of your hands face each other and that your […]
