Timpani Choke Notation

Question

I'm writing a timpani part for a concert band score. I've seen timpanist "choke" the note with their hand (on the head) after striking it to stop it from sustaining. How can I notate this?

score 4 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 12 '18 at 06:55

4

Write the length of note you want. If you want notes separated by rests, write them. The timpanist will damp as necessary.

edited Apr 12 '18 at 06:55

Tim

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answered Apr 12 '18 at 00:24

Laurence

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Or write them as staccato. – Tim Apr 12 '18 at 06:55
I'm unconvinced - there's gotta be a difference between damping a note and letting it ring. – Carl Witthoft Apr 12 '18 at 13:23
Certainly there is. That's why we have note-lengths, rests and the l.v. instruction. – Laurence Apr 12 '18 at 13:48
Also, a tie to nowhere means to mean let ring – MattPutnam Apr 12 '18 at 14:26
A 'tie to nowhere' IS one form of the l.v. instruction. The other is the text 'l.v.' – Laurence Apr 12 '18 at 17:03
"why we have note-lengths..." But at least for non-percussion instruments, the end of the note indicates to stop **producing** the note, not to damp resonances. – Carl Witthoft Apr 12 '18 at 18:37
You feel all percussion is 'l.v.' by default? – Laurence Apr 12 '18 at 22:21

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 12 '18 at 13:30

There are several symbols at my favorite reference such as "+" which indicate percussion instrument damping. I plead ignorance as to which symbols are applied to the tympani in particular. Search the linked page for the word "damp," and you'll see a couple crosshair-like symbols, sadly without comments as to applicability.

Timpani Choke Notation

2 Answers2