Solos for the Developing Timpanist: Timpani, Collections, Book

Each solo has a distinct personality and musical voice, from the elegant legato of "Smooth As Silk" to the rhythmic playfulness of "Syncopated Sensation." You get the satisfaction of performing complete, musically shaped pieces rather than mechanical exercises, even though the fundamentals are front and center.

Young timpanists preparing for solo contests, lesson students working toward their first recitals, and developing percussionists who need core technique studies without the length or complexity of advanced solo literature. This book works equally well in the private studio and as a stepping stone before attempting more demanding solo repertoire.

• Start with consistent mallet control on the opening of each solo; Corrigan's focus on tone production means clarity here sets the foundation for everything that follows.
• Mark the tuning changes early and practice them slowly; several pieces require shifts between drums, and knowing exactly where these occur prevents stumbling during performance.
• Record yourself playing through the full piece before contest or recital so you can hear how your dynamics and tempo changes are actually landing across the arc of the work.
• Pay attention to the notation styles and time signatures in each solo; this variety is intentional, and getting comfortable reading different styles makes you a more flexible musician overall.

Select individual solos for student recitals throughout the year, assigning them based on technical readiness rather than waiting until May. The shorter length and clear pedagogical focus also make these valuable for creating variety in a solo and ensemble contest schedule, where timpani soloists often compete against limited repertoire options.

• Tone production and consistency across dynamic levels
• Legato, marcato, and staccato articulation techniques
• Muffling and mute placement
• Tuning and pitch control between drums
• Cross-sticking patterns and hand independence
• Grace notes, accents, and rhythmic ornaments
• Reading multiple time signatures and notation styles
• Roll execution and control
• Tempo changes and rubato within structured pieces