Yamaha TP-3123EA Owner's Manual - Page 8

Adjusting the Pitch When using the timpani for the first time, be sure to set it up according to the instructions of "Initial Preparation" on pages 6 and 7. ■ Head Tuning 1 Tuning is adjusted on the lowest note of the tim- pani. For this reason, the heel of the pedal must stay fully lowered during the tuning procedure. The pitch of the lowest note (and the tonal range) depends on the size of your timpani. For example, as shown in the chart below, the lowest sound of a 26" timpani should be tuned to A. When tuned properly, your Yamaha timpani will play throughout its full tonal range with balanced tension in the paddle. ■ Standard Tonal Ranges for Yamaha Timpani 32" (81cm) 29" (74cm) 26" (66cm) 23" (58cm) Keep the heel of the pedal fully lowered during the tuning procedure (steps 2 through 7 below) if not specified otherwise. 2 Strike the head and check the sound. The standard striking point is shown below. Striking point The standard striking point lies at distance B from the kettle edge, which corresponds approximately to 1/4 to 1/3 of the distance between the kettle edge and the center of the head. • Sound is lower than the tuning note → Go to step 3. • Sound is higher than the tuning note → Loosen the tuning bolts by an equal amount in the order shown in the figure of step 5 on page 7. 8 When loosening the tuning bolts, always loosen them by double the desired amount, and then return (re-tighten) them by half. When the sound lies within 1 halftone below the desired pitch after loosening the tuning bolts (repeatedly, if necessary), proceed with step 3. 3 Lightly strike the head with the mallet about 2 inches (5 cm) from the kettle edge at each tuning bolt. Check which tuning bolt has the highest sound. • Pitch of the highest sound is higher than the tuning note (*2) → Loosen the corresponding tuning bolt by about 1/16 to 1/18 of a turn. First loosen the bolt by double the desired amount, and then return (re-tighten) it by half. After loosening the tuning bolt, repeat from the beginning of step 3. • Pitch of the highest sound is lower than the tuning note → Go to step 4. 4 Tighten the other bolts little by little (by about 1/ 16 to 1/8 of a turn) until the sounds at the corresponding striking points match the pitch of the highest sound. Please note that tightening one bolt also raises the pitch at neighboring and opposite tuning bolts. Thus, after tightening the tuning bolt with the lowest sound, again check the pitch at the other tuning bolts before tightening the tuning bolt with the next lowest pitch. While alternately tightening the other bolts, do not touch the tuning bolt with the highest pitch (reference pitch).