The ancestor of the modern timpani were drums used by Ottoman Empire military bands brought to Europe in the 15th century. Today’s timpani have come a long way achieving precision pitch and intonation. Companies such as Adams, Clevelander, Dresdner Apparatebau, Goodman, Hardtke, Poschardt, Ringer and Walter Light make up the timpani heard on concert stages around the world today. Choose which timpani are right for you.