1. LISTEN. Choose an interval and memorize it’s sound by listening with deep concentration (preferably with eyes closed) while playing it very slowly on the piano chromatically ascending and descending within the F-octave range of the two middle drums.
2. SING WITH THE PIANO. Repeat step one singing in unison with the piano. If necessary, adjust the octave to suit your vocal range.
3. SING WITH AND WITHOUT THE PIANO. Repeat step two singing the first note of the interval with the piano and the second note without the piano. Check the second note while still singing in order to better hear minor discrepancies in pitch. As you learn additional intervals, sing a reference note with the piano then several intervals (ascending and/or descending) without the piano, again checking the last note while still singing.
4. HEAR THE PITCHES MENTALLY. Repeat step three mentally hearing the pitches rather than singing them aloud.
5. REPEAT WITH MUSIC IN THE BACKGROUND. With music playing in the background, repeat steps one through four.
Steps 1 through 3 are general ear training devices to help in the initial tuning of timpani. Steps 4 and 5 deal specifically with overcoming difficulties in executing tuning changes. Your goal is to mentally recognize the sounds of intervals during the tuning process. Combining this skill with the practice of using the last pitch played prior to the tuning change as your reference will enable you to tune faster and more accurately—faster, by eliminating the need for an intermediary such as a tuning fork, pitch pipe, voice, or drum; more accurately because, when playing with an ensemble, you have the opportunity to hear the last note played as part of the ensemble.
When preparing ensemble parts, you may use the relevant intervals for steps 1 through 4 as needed. For step 5 use a recording of the piece and the actual tuning changes as they occur.
Throughout these exercises, while learning the sounds of intervals, be certain to also learn the note names. This is critical as it will seriously slow you down if you have to take the time to convert tuning change directions (which are always given as note names) to intervals.
A valuable by-product of the successful practice of these steps will be an improvement in concentration; perhaps the single most important ingredient for success in any endeavor.