Which timpani should you buy?
The timpani – also known as kettle drums – are an essential part of many classical works and film compositions. These pedal-tuned drums come in various sizes and materials, with copper and fibreglass being the most common choices.
Models with copper drums and Berlin-style or Dresden-style pedal systems are recommended for professional use. Equipped with high-quality natural skin drumheads, timpani produce an especially organic tone. However, for orchestras with smaller instrument and maintenance budgets, timpani with fibreglass kettles and plastic drumheads can also provide a cost-effective alternative and have the advantage of requiring fewer tuning adjustments. Thomann will provide you with the best possible advice and service for any instruments that meet with your interest.
Which orchestral cymbals should you opt for?
From rousing sonic tapestries to dramatic accents, orchestral cymbals enrich the sound spectrum of countless pieces. In our Thomann shop, you will find cymbals sold in pairs with straps and pads or as individual suspended cymbals. High-quality orchestral cymbals for professional use are meticulously crafted using methods such as manual hammering and individual fine-tuning. Bronze alloys such as B20 produce a warm and organic fundamental tone. Heavy cymbals have a brighter and more aggressive sound, while lighter models of the same size have lower frequencies. Hand straps and suitable pads for concert and marching cymbals can be found in the Orchestral Cymbal Accessories category.
Which orchestral drums should you buy?
Concert bass drums, snare drums, tenor drums, and concert toms add accents and sound textures in symphony orchestras, wind orchestras, and chamber music. Concert bass drums with larger diameters typically produce deeper sounds. The hardness or softness of the attack sound can be adjusted by using different mallets. In the case of snare drums, responsiveness is key. Depending on the dynamic range involved, a drum with a standard drum set throw-off, such as the Ludwig LM 400 Supra Phonic may prove a viable option, but for many pieces, a model with a concert throw-off and three individually adjustable snare wires, such as the Pearl PHA-1450/N, is recommended.
Orchestral percussion adds key elements to the sound pallet
While the large, eye-catching, and often expensive orchestral instruments may be the focus of attention in an ensemble, the small percussive elements typically provide the necessary "zest" in music. It is little wonder, therefore, that many musical compositions specify exactly which orchestral percussion instruments should be used. Whether you are looking for tambourines, triangles, claves, chimes, cabasas, or effect whistles, you will find a vast selection of corresponding sounds in our shop. We also stock speciality instruments such as ritual drums, guiros, and maracas.
Which Asian instruments should you buy?
Tam tams, wind gongs, tuned gongs, planetary gongs, Chinese cymbals, and singing bowls share a common feature: They are all Asian orchestral instruments. From the mighty Thomann Wuhan Tam Tam 140 for orchestral use and sound therapy to the Thomann Tibetan Zen Singing Bowl, our shop offers a vast selection of Asian instruments. We also stock the corresponding mallets, replacement parts, stands, and bags.
Orchestral equipment, mallets, and accessories for orchestral percussion
Even the best instruments have little to offer if they cannot be played, maintained, set up, or transported. For this reason, Thomann offers one of the most comprehensive ranges of orchestral percussion accessories, including stands for gongs and tam tams, percussion trays, percussion holders, and timpani/drum heads. Although possibly regarded as less inspiring by some, technical accessories are essential for every orchestra. As a result, you will also find a wide selection of music stands, podia, stand lights, orchestra chairs, and flight cases for orchestral instruments in our shop.
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