Pedal-operated kettledrums produce glissandos when retuned mid-vibration.
Evidence
A kettledrum has a single membrane that is stretched over a metal bowl (or kettle) that is suspended on a supporting frame. Absolute tuning of a kettledrum head is set by means of adjusting screws (usually eight) around its rim to enable it to be tuned to the appropriate absolute pitch reference. During a performance, its tuning can be changed in semitone steps by means of a lever tensioning system operated by a pedal, which typically enables a pitch variation over five semitones. The head tension varies as the lever is moved from note to note, and, if the kettledrum is struck immediately prior to the lever being moved, a rising (or falling) pitch is heard as a glide or glissando. This is sometimes used for musical effect. — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 1301
Categorization
- XREF: Connects to how changing string/air tension mid-vibration creates glissando across all pitched instruments.
- SHARE: A percussionist or composer would enjoy this specific mechanism for glissando timpani.