Playing Position
Standing vs Sitting
Timpanists have the option of either playing standing or sitting on a stool. If you choose to sit, make sure your stool thats high enough that you can be at a good playing position while you're sitting down. If you are standing, you will be leaning slightly to the drum. Your body weight should be placed slightly forward.
Placement of the Drums
Drums should be at a place where you are able to rotate around the drums and your mallets should naturally go to where the best playing area is for that drum. Keep in mind, the larger the drum the further in your mallets will be.
You want to avoid placing your drums to the point where you will have to reach to access them.
Music Stands
Your view of the conductor should be directly on the "line" between your 29" drum and your 26'' drum. This is also where your music stand should be.
Tray
Often timpanist set up a tray that keeps the mallets very accessible. A music stand covered by a black towel can serve as this tray. The tray can either be placed in between two of the other drums (between the 32" and the 29" or between the 26" and the 23") or placed behind you.
Timpanists have the option of either playing standing or sitting on a stool. If you choose to sit, make sure your stool thats high enough that you can be at a good playing position while you're sitting down. If you are standing, you will be leaning slightly to the drum. Your body weight should be placed slightly forward.
Placement of the Drums
Drums should be at a place where you are able to rotate around the drums and your mallets should naturally go to where the best playing area is for that drum. Keep in mind, the larger the drum the further in your mallets will be.
You want to avoid placing your drums to the point where you will have to reach to access them.
Music Stands
Your view of the conductor should be directly on the "line" between your 29" drum and your 26'' drum. This is also where your music stand should be.
Tray
Often timpanist set up a tray that keeps the mallets very accessible. A music stand covered by a black towel can serve as this tray. The tray can either be placed in between two of the other drums (between the 32" and the 29" or between the 26" and the 23") or placed behind you.