The timpani is a type of large drum which can play very loudly, and is the only drum in the percussion family to produce specific pitches, and can therefore play notes defined by a composer. The instrument is tuned by changing the tension of the skin of the drum with a pedal found on each instrument. Percussionists who play the timpani are considered specialists and therefore hold the title of “Timpanist” or “Timpani player” in an orchestra, and don’t generally play other percussion instruments in their orchestra. A timpanist usually has four drums in front of them and uses different sticks to create the wide range of sounds required by the repertoire.

The timpani became a part of the orchestra as of the 17^th Century and is the oldest percussion instrument in the tradition of orchestral repertoire. The timpani are present in almost all orchestral works, while the other percussion instruments vary from one piece to the next.