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Timpani is an Italian plural, the singular of which is timpano. However, in English the term timpano is only widely in use by practitioners: several are more typically referred to collectively as kettledrums, timpani, temple drums, or timps. They are also often incorrectly termed timpanis. A musician who plays timpani is a timpanist.
The timpani is considerably older than other melodic percussion instruments, such as the marimba and xylophone. [citation needed] Music historians trace the instrument's history to ancient times when the drums were used in religious ceremonies. During the 13th century, timpani began to be used in pairs and were called Nakers, or Nakirs.
A variety of musical terms are encountered in printed scores, music reviews, and program notes. Most of the terms are Italian, in accordance with the Italian origins of many European musical conventions. Sometimes, the special musical meanings of these phrases differ from the original or current Italian meanings.
Many musical terms are in Italian because, in Europe, the vast majority of the most important early composers from the Renaissance to the Baroque period were Italian. [citation needed] That period is when numerous musical indications were used extensively for the first time.
The term pitched percussion is now preferred to the traditional term tuned percussion: ... Timpani (also resembles the Kettle drum yet totally different ) Vibraphone;
Much like the bass drum, the concert toms are meant to add color and shading to orchestral music. However, it can also be used much like the snare drum. In fact, the snare drum can have the snare off, producing a high tom sound. Depending on the composer and/or music, the concert tom can be used as both.
Where an instrument meets this definition but is often or traditionally excluded from the term percussion this is noted. Instruments commonly used as unpitched and/or untuned percussion. Instruments commonly part of the percussion section of a band or orchestra.
A timpani concerto is piece of music written for timpani with orchestral or band accompaniment. It is usually in three parts or movements . The first timpani concertos were written in the Baroque and Classical periods of music.