The timpani, or kettledrums, are of Eastern origin. Small Arabian kettledrums were introduced into Europe as early as the 13th century. Larger instruments reached the West from the Ottoman Empire during the 15th century.

Originally they were used in pairs and were played on horseback or camelback. These drums were played in cavalry bands in Europe, accompanied by trumpets. During the 17th century, when the instruments were slightly improved, they were introduced into the orchestra.

The European kettledrum, which is used in American orchestras also, derives its special sound from the shape, size, and diameter of its bowl, which is usually made of copper or fiberglass. The thickness of the material stretched by a metal hoop over the bowl's opening and the material with which the membrane is struck also contribute to the timpani's unique sound. While animal membranes formerly were used exclusively in kettledrum construction, synthetic materials are often used in modern drums.

Larger drums produce lower-pitched sounds than small drums. The tighter the membrane is stretched over the bowl, the higher the pitch when the membrane is struck. Sticks covered at their ends with leather, felt, or similar material produce a more muffled sound when they strike a drum than do uncovered sticks of ebony or other wood.

While the placement of cavalry drums called for the larger instrument to be on the player's right, most modern kettledrum players place the larger instrument to the left. The player strikes the membrane between its edge and its center and normally uses alternate hands for successive strokes. Changes in tuning were made possible by the use of tension screws located around the edge of the kettledrum's bowl. During the baroque and classical eras these screws were squared-topped and had to be turned by an unattached tuning handle. An improvement on this method was the introduction of the T-shaped tension screw, which made it possible to change pitch more quickly. A further refinement was a mechanism that varies the tension of the membrane by means of rods connected to the hoop. The player can tighten or slacken the kettledrum's membrane quickly, using either a handle or a foot pedal, to produce a higher or lower pitch.