"The timpani head is actually sprayed down with water to create a better resistance between the head and fingers. I played it using my thumbs facing horozonatally to each other, starting from the head center pressing through the drum pulling my fingers toward me. I've found its easier to get a more pronounced tone pulling toward you than trying to push away" "Candy Bear" commenting on the Japanese band version of the piece. On Mon, Dec 6, 2010 at 11:50 PM, Michael Fugere <[log in to unmask]>wrote: > Hmm, I am not sure, but I think that some symphonic tympani heads have > significantly different "texture" to the surface (with corresponding > difference in surface friction) than some of the more > utilitarian/indestructible heads that may be on the high school instruments > we are using? Could this explain the difference in the ability to produce > the desired sound effect for the whale bit? The variation could be akin to > whether or not one wet's a finger or not before trying to "play" a crystal > wineglass. > > <rant> > Personally, I am TRYING to like this piece, but.. It seems to be very > sloppily/lazily arranged, not what I usually expect from Robert W Smith. > I > am hopeful that Cindy's efforts will be successful. > </rant> > Mike Fugere > > [log in to unmask] > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Upper Valley Community Band > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Erickson > Sent: Monday, December 06, 2010 9:14 PM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: "Songs of Sailors and Sea" recordings online > > Tim was asking about these: > > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UR1HyxUe4-c > > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xgPXlFlvjI > > -- > John S. Erickson, Ph.D. > http://bitwacker.com > [log in to unmask] > Twitter: @olyerickson > Skype: @olyerickson >