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[[File:Standard timpani setup.jpg|100px|A standard set of timpani consists of four drums]]
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'''[[Timpani]]''' are [[musical instrument]]s in the [[percussion instrument|percussion]] family. A type of [[drum]], they consist of a skin called a [[drumhead|head]] stretched over a large bowl commonly made of [[copper]]. They are played by striking the head with a special [[drum stick]] called a timpani stick. Unlike most drums, they produce a [[definite pitch]] when struck. Timpani evolved from [[military]] drums to become a staple of the [[European classical music|classical]] [[orchestra]] in the [[17th century]]. Today, they are used in many types of [[musical ensemble]]s including [[Concert band|concert]], [[Marching band|marching]], and even [[Rock band|rock]] [[Musical band|band]]s. The basic timpano consists of a drumhead stretched across the opening of a bowl typically made of copper or, in less expensive models, [[fiberglass]]. The drumhead is connected to a hoop, which is then attached to the bowl via a number of tuning [[screw]]s called tension rods placed regularly along the circumference. The head's tension can be adjusted by loosening or tightening the rods. Most timpani have six to eight tension rods. ('''[[Timpani|more...]]''')

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