The Percussion Section (pitched percussion instruments)

Percussion (Eng.) Batterie (Fr.) Percussione (It.) Schlagzeug (Ger.)

Score Placement of percussion instruments
On an orchestra score, the percussion section is located between the brass and the string sections.
From top to bottom, the timpani are first in order, placed just below the tuba. Next, come any
non-pitched percussion instruments. Next comes the harp, celesta and lastly, the piano.
Timpani
The timpani - aka kettle drums, (timpano in the singular) are drums whose membrane is attached to
a pedal mechanism that allows the drums to be tuned. The range of each drum is about a minor 6th.
Timpani parts are written in the bass clef. A full complement of timpani consists of 4 drums in the
following sizes:
32 inch 29 inch 26 inch 23 inch

These are the standard sizes available in a professional orchestra. Smaller, semi-professional
orchestras are more likely to have only two timpani – the 26 and 29 inch varieties. In a
professional symphony orchestra, timpanists are specialists. They rarely play other percussion
instruments in the section.
Timpani are played with a variety of mallets with felt tips. The tips range in hardness from
very hard to very soft depending on the desired musical effect – fast, articulate passages or
long rolls. Timpani may also be played with other implements including maracas, vibraphone
sticks, drumsticks and even one’s fingers if the passage is quiet enough. Edward Elgar asked
for two coins to be used during a passage in his Enigma Variations (right before rehearsal
number 58.) Timpani have a long sustain. So, timpanists must control the duration of the
notes by muting the sound with their fingers after the notes are played.
Mallet Selection
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKCKp6-M7jU
Special effects for timpani
Pedal glissando
The foot pedal that is used for tuning can be manipulated as the instrument is being played to
create a glissando.
Coperto
This is a playing technique where objects such as sponges or a handkerchief placed on the
skin will damp the sound of the timpani, creating a muted affect.
Placing objects on the drum
Cymbals, tambourines or other hand percussion can be placed on the drum skin to add a
rattling effect when the timpani is struck.

Listening
Timpani Sonar Effect
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGoRnGw5Os8
Animism for Prepared Timpani and Tape - Stephen Ridley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvAPNj1qEio

Timpani Concerto "Raise the Roof" by Michael Daugherty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJkhpmkht3I

Timp. Cloyd Duff

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYnRnHPXzcc

Timp tips!
We have seen several examples of complicated timpani music. The reality is that the timpani
are used principally for punctuation – often in union with the brass section, particularly the
trumpets. A timp. part that is too busy muddies up the texture. Unless the part is meant to be
a solo spot and “showy”, keep it simple.
Assignment:
Analyze: “The Planets Mars Bringer of War”. What is interesting/unusual about the timpani part.
Answers: Motto rhythm, timp. playing in unison with col legno strings, Timp. playing with
wooden stick. What’s going on with the harmony?

Mallets
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWi5EGygvEc

Marimba
The Marimba is a non-transposing mallet instrument made of large wooden bars, suspended above
metal tubes which resonate. The bars are struck with yarn-covered mallets, the firmness of which
changes both the timbre and volume of the sound. Marimbas come in a variety of sizes and ranges.
All of the ranges end with C7, but start on different pitches.
The marimba ranges are:
4 octave 4.3 octave. 4.5 octave 4.6 octave 5 octave

Typically, the instrument is played with a mallet in each hand. They can play two notes at
once or play melodies. More advanced players often use two mallets in each hand, allowing
four simultaneous notes to be played. A tremolo or 'roll' is common on the instrument, played
using both the mallets on one bar.
Using hard mallets in the low range produces a loud, hard sound. In the higher part of the
range the sound becomes tinny. Using soft mallets in the high end of the instrument is
ineffective. It is almost inaudible. But, they produce a very mellow sound in the low register.
A marimba player will usually have a set of hard, soft, and medium mallets at the ready. It's
possible to use different mallets in each hand. The low notes have quite a long sustain, so fast
sections in the bottom register can come out muddy.
The marimba is used in orchestral music. However, it’s an integral sound in Mexican music
Listening
Sugaria (Concerto for Solo Marimba), Mvt. 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uebZ4M9M04
Escucha a México a través de la Marimba
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Z134db7goA

Xylophone
The xylophone is a non-transposing percussion instrument that consists of wooden bars struck by
mallets. Unlike the marimba, it does not have resonating tubes below the bars. Xylophones are
usually played with very hard rubber or acrylic mallets. Lighter tones can be created on
xylophones by using wooden-headed mallets made from hard woods. The standard xylophone has
a range of three-and-a-half octaves (F3 to C7).

Vibraphone
The vibraphone (sometimes called the vibraharp) is a non-transposing percussion instrument
that consists of tuned metal bars, usually played with two or four soft yarn mallets. Like the
marimba, the bars are suspended over resonating tubes. One big difference between the
marimba and the vibraphone is that the vibraphone has a motor-driven mechanism at the top
of the tube assembly which when activated, rotates a “butterfly valve” that produces a vibrato
effect. The player can control the speed of the rotation and therefore, the amount of the
vibrato effect. The vibraphone also has a sustain pedal like a piano. With the pedal up, the
bars produce a muted sound. With the pedal down, the bars sustain for several seconds, or
until muted with the pedal.
The vibraphone range

The vibraphone is a member of the percussion section of all professional orchestra and is used
extensively in jazz, Latin and popular music.
Extended techniques:
In contemporary western “classical” music, a common technique is to bow the edge of the bars
with a violin bow. This produces a sustained, eerie “glass harmonica” effect.

Glockenspiel or Orchestra bells

The glockenspiel (sometimes called orchestra bells) is a small, high-pitched transposing
percussion instrument. Its notes sounds one octave higher than they are written.
The glockenspiel consists of a set of tuned metal bars arranged like a piano keyboard. A pair
of hard, plastic or metal mallets are used to strike the bars.
The glockenspiel range sounds one octave higher than written

The glockenspiel is often used in marching and military bands. When used in these
ensembles, the bars are usually mounted on a lyre-shaped frame and played in a vertical
position. In an orchestral setting, the glockenspiel is positioned horizontally.

Listening
Marimba vs. Xylophone vs. Vibraphone vs. Glockenspiel (Idiophone Comparison)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWi5EGygvEc

Tubular Bells or Chimes

Tubular bells (also known as chimes) are long tuned metal tubes designed to emulate the
sound of church bells. The individual tubes are tuned by altering their length. It is a non-
transposing instrument.
The range of Tubular Bells

Tubular bells are played by striking the top edge of the tube with a rawhide or plastic hammer.
Some models of tubular bells have a sustain pedal to allow extended ringing of the bells. They
can also be bowed at the bottom of the tube to produce a very loud, very high-pitched overtone.
Listening
Lear to play Chimes / Tubular Bells with Gary France
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjACsPhDJDE

Crotales or Antique Cymbals

Crotales, (aka antique cymbals,) are small tuned disks made of bronze or brass. They are
transposing instruments sounding 2 octaves higher than written. The typically have two sets of
crotales each with a range of one octave.
Written Range of the crotales – sounding 2 octaves higher.
Written range of 1st octave Written range of 2nd octave

They produce a very pleasing, pure, delicate bell sound with a long sustain. They are played
by being struck with hard mallets. However, they may also be played by striking two of them
together – like finger cymbals. They may also be bowed.
Listening
Learn to play Crotales with Gary France
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru6JO1zIVVk
Celesta
The celesta looks like a small upright piano with smaller keys. It is a transposing instrument,
sounding one octave higher than is written. Its parts are written on a grand staff.
Celesta range:
Written Sounding

The keys connect to hammers that strike a graduated set of metal bars suspended over wooden
resonators. Four- or five-octave models usually have a damper pedal that sustains or damps the
sound. The three-octave instruments do not have a pedal. Two of the best-known works for the
celesta are Tchaikovsky’s "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" from The Nutcracker and Bartok’s
Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta.
The sound of the celesta is similar to that of the glockenspiel but with a less strident tone. The
celesta is often used to enhance a melody line played by another instrument or section. Its
delicate sound is not loud enough to be heard with full orchestral accompaniment.
Video
West Side Story: Percussionist's Perspective
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XckuLi5cqd4