Editing Timpani (section)

=== Players ===
[[File:Balanced action timpani.jpg|thumb|left|Balanced action timpani are often used in outdoor performances because of their durability.]]

Throughout their education, timpanists are trained as percussionists, and they learn to play all instruments of the percussion family along with timpani. However, when appointed to a principal timpani chair in a professional ensemble, a timpanist is not normally required to play any other instruments. In his book ''Anatomy of the Orchestra'', [[Norman Del Mar]] writes that the timpanist is "king of his own province", and that "a good timpanist really does set the standard of the whole orchestra." A qualified member of the percussion section sometimes doubles as associate timpanist, performing in repertoire requiring multiple timpanists and filling in for the principal timpanist when required.

Among the professionals who have been highly regarded for their virtuosity and impact on the development of the timpani in the 20th century are [[Saul Goodman (percussionist)|Saul Goodman]], Hans Schnellar, Fred Hinger, Tom Freer, and Cloyd Duff.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wienerpauken.at/eng/history.php|title=Wiener Pauken – handmade timpani of Anton Mittermayr – timpani builder of Wiener Philharmoniker|website=www.wienerpauken.at}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pas.org/About/the-society/halloffame/HingerFred.aspx |title=Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame: Fred Hinger |access-date=18 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618235937/http://www.pas.org/About/the-society/halloffame/HingerFred.aspx |archive-date=18 June 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Atwood|first=Jim|url=http://www.pas.org/about/hall-of-fame/cloyd-duff|title=Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame: Cloyd Duff|website=Pas.org|access-date=19 April 2021}}</ref>
{{listen|filename=Richard_Strauss_-_Neal_O'Doan_-_Burleske.ogg|title=Burleske|description=[[Richard Strauss]]'s ''[[Burleske]]'' begins with the main theme played on the timpani.|format=[[ogg]]}}
{{listen |
 | filename = Gustav Holst - the planets, op. 32 - iv. jupiter, the bringer of jollity (excerpt).ogg
 | title = "Jupiter" from ''The Planets'' suite (excerpt)
 | description = In the beginning of "Jupiter" from [[Gustav Holst|Holst]]'s ''[[The Planets]]'', the two timpanists echo the main theme.
|}}