Monday Morning Timpani Head Changing Session

[Director]

Mr. Hogue and I will be changing the timpani heads this morning (Monday, April 9) at school from ~9:30 AM till... well, until we're done. This is a rather involved and interesting process, so if any percussionists are interested, you may join us.
:rimshot:

[twangansta]

Dang I wish I could go...but good luck and hope it's an enjoying experience! :D

[Director]

Well, we had a fun day. We took the old heads off the 2 timpani, cleaned and took the major dents out of the bowls, cleaned and 'greased' the rims. At that point we found out one of the heads Bellflower had sent us was a bit too big, so we had to take it back for an exchange (picked up a couple of egg shakers while we were there).
When we got back to school, we put the head on the larger drum (29"), tightened and tuned it. It sounded so much better! Doing the same with the smaller drum we found one of the bolts had a problem with its threads. Mr. Hogue said he could probably file it down, but all of his tools were at home, so we stopped at that point and will most likely complete assembly of this drum tomorrow.

It wasn't as difficult as I had imagined although since I'd never done this before, it helped have a professional percussionist (Mr. Hogue) working with me.

To the percussion students: I'm sorry you missed this. It isn't every day you get the experience of changing timpani heads. I'm sure you would have learned a lot--I know I did!

The bottom line though is that the timps will now be a harmonious addition to our ensemble instead of a distraction. In fact, they sound so good I'd like to get a third (either a 23" or a 32"). Of course we really need to do something about that bass drum... sigh.

BTW... a very big THANKS to Mr. Hogue for giving up a portion of his spring vacation time to help with this project. Next time you see him, please let him know you appreciate his efforts.

[Director]

For those interested in changing and clearing timpani heads, here are three resources:Remo - Changing A Timpani Head
(http://www.remo.com/portal/pages/drumming/product_tips/Drumming+Product+Tips+Changing+Timpani.html)
Evans - Changing A Timpani Head (http://www.evansdrumheads.com/EVATunning.aspx?CodaID=2587)

Adams - Changing A Timpani Head (http://www.adams-music.com/download/files/?/media/pdf/article_heads1.pdf)

[jessicaWHOO]

Those timp heads look niiiiice :]

[Director]

Those timp heads look niiiiice :]
They sound even nicer! :)

[jessicaWHOO]

Ohh.
Nice black covers were added today! :D

[twangansta]

Coooooool!!!!

Now Nick doesn't have to give push ups when people wrongfully touch them (hehe :D).

[jessicaWHOO]

LOL!
You wouldn't give my sister push-ups when she touched the snare.
BAHAHA.
I remember xD
You turned around & pointed & went, "Give me..."
& then you saw her, & you stopped xD
AHAHAA.

[Director]

LOL!
You wouldn't give my sister push-ups when she touched the snare.
BAHAHA.
I remember xD
You turned around & pointed & went, "Give me..."
& then you saw her, & you stopped xD
AHAHAA.

Oh, that must have been the cutest thing in the world!!!

Michael, you old softy!

You go, Connie! :D

[twangansta]

SHE'S NOT A TETZLAFF STUDENT!!!!

Therefore she's not under my jurisdiction!

I have my reasons!!!

:D

[iamthenick]

Eh, still, she touched the drum. I understand that she did not know, and let it slide by, but she still is a DM Candidate, so she must be treated equally like the rest of all the DM Candidates.

[jessicaWHOO]

BAHAHAHA.
jurisdiction x]]]

[twangansta]

Eh, still, she touched the drum. I understand that she did not know, and let it slide by, but she still is a DM Candidate, so she must be treated equally like the rest of all the DM Candidates.

Nah she's cooler than the rest. LOL jk :cool:

[jessicaWHOO]

LOLS.
Oh my goodness gracious :]
Those timps ringgggg :D

[Director]

Believe me when I tell you that Connie would not have 'played' with the drum if she had known the rules. At Leal, the drum students take out the drums immediately prior to rehearsal and put them away at the conclusion of the class. There's really no time for other students to 'play' with them, so I've never had to discuss it with them.
I have explained to them (at the beginning of the year) that:
if it's theirs, take care of it.
if it's not theirs, don't touch it.Maybe I need to revisit that pearl of wisdom with them.

In any case, I know Connie works hard to do her best and I'm sure she will in the future take care to leave the drums to the percussionist unless told to do otherwise. :)

[iamthenick]

Those timps ringgggg :D

What is that supposed to mean?!?:confused:

[jessicaWHOO]

-sigh-
they sound great, nick --x

[iamthenick]

oh. but what does it have to do with them ringggging?:confused:

[twangansta]

Cause it actually rings instead of being a deafening "bong" sound? lol :D

[iamthenick]

?

[twangansta]

Cause the old ones had a bad ring and tone to it...and the new ones sound nice when you just hit it and let it resonate.

[iamthenick]

Yea.

[jessicaWHOO]

Oh my gosh, Nick.
Get it now? xD

Thank you Michael x]

[twangansta]

You're welcome. :D

[iamthenick]

Whatever.

[jessicaWHOO]

HAHAHA.