Large, bowl‑shaped drums used in orchestras, which can be tuned to specific musical notes. They are usually played in pairs or groups with soft mallets.
From Italian 'timpani,' plural of 'timpano' meaning 'kettledrum,' from Latin 'tympanum' (drum), from Greek 'týmpanon.' The Greek word originally meant 'a drum or tambourine.' The Italian plural form was borrowed directly into musical English.
Timpani are rare drums that can play real notes, not just rhythms, because you can tighten or loosen their heads to tune them. In an orchestra, they’re like a second, lower set of bells, shaping harmony as well as drama. The Italian plural stuck, so even one set of drums is still called 'timpani.'
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