The Timbales

Thomas Altmann, 2004

The timbales consist of a pair of metal shells (steel, brass or copper), each equipped with one batter head on the top, but with no resonance head. They are mounted side by side on a stand, traditionally with the smaller, high-pitched timbal on the right side of the player, the large, deep sounding drum to the left. This set-up is commonly complemented by one or two cowbells (cencerros) and a cymbal. Modern timbales sets include a bass drum, a snare drum und several bells and cymbals, plus a woodblock. Sometimes a pair of timbalitos (small timbales) is combined with the regular sized timbales, mostly to extend soloing possibilities. However, originally the timbalitos form a particular instrument in its own right, implying a spezific playing manner which combines bongo rhythms with baqueteo technique.

Timbales are played with thin sticks (baquetas) with a diameter of about 8 - 12 mm that have a straight tip (unlike regular drum sticks).

The timbales have their home in the so-called Charangas, a type of orchestration that is characterized by violins, flute, guiro, and piano. Later, a conga player and a vocalist were integrated. The timbales had replaced the big timpani which were still in use in the orquestas típicas, the predecessors of the charanga bands.

The classic playing technique for timbales is the above mentioned baqueteo that was used to play the former Cuban national dance, Danzón. With Mambo- and Salsa bands, that have congas and bongos, the timbalero generally plays the cascara (the sides of the metal shells) and cencerro (bell), using the top of the drums (i.e. the drum heads) only for pick-ups und fills to mark the structural sections of a piece and to set up and support written brass figures, in the same way as a big band drummer would do.

The timbales player should have a well-developed feeling for the Clave, because his playing adheres very closely to the Clave; his cascara pattern actually is the Clave in an embellished form. He is responsible for outlining rhythmical phrases and adding structure to the music. Reading helps a great deal. Stick control is a must.

The photo on this page is taken from the Gon Bops catalog from 1976. The company has been taken over by DW (Drum Workshop). The production of the above depicted model was discontinued.