The Timbales or Tymbals is a shallow single headed percussion instrument. It is considered as similar to the Tom-Tom, but they are shallower in shape compared to the single headed Tom-Toms, they also have a higher pitch. A Timbale player is known as a Timbalero and a he can effectively produce a wide range of notes with the Timbale by using different strokes.
Timbales is also the French word for Timpani, and as such – the French refer to Afro-Cuban Timbales as timbales latines. This percussion instrument came to be only during the 20th century and was used as replacements for the Timpani in Afro-Cuban orchestra.
The Timbales is played using a variety of sticks and hand strokes, rim shots, and rolls in order to produce a wide range of tunes for this instrument. The Timbale player (Timbalero) usually plays the shells of the Timbales as a form of auxillary percussion similar to the use of a cowbell or tambourine. Timbale shells are called cascara which is also the name given to a rhythm used in Salsa music. Timbale shells are commonly made of metal but manufacturer of the instrument also offer them in maple and other woods.
The Timbale is traditionally played standing up as it is mounted on a stand. Most of the time they are played with drumsticks, or sometimes with Timbale sticks; Timbale sticks are just straight sticks that do not have shoulders or a head. A Timbale head usually ranges from 12” to 16”. Like the bongos, Timbale pares also differ in size slightly. The smaller one is referred to as the “Macho” (Male) and the bigger one as “Hembra” (Female).
Recently, Manufacturers have started making smaller sized Timbales called Timbalitos or mini Timbales. These timbales have a head size of 6” – 10”. They are often sold in pairs and are used by kit drummers like John Dolmayan.
Skilled Timbale players strike the heads, rims, and shells in rapid succession. The effect is lively Latin music. One of the great Timbaleros is Tito Puente, it is now common for a player to use more than two Timbales. As a result, Timbale solos are a spectacular site. Most of the time, the Timbalero is behind a group of six or more Timbales that form a semi-circle. Other great Timbaleros include: Rigo Tovar, Jose Luis Quintana “Changuito”, Louie Ramirez, Marc Quinonez, Karl Perrazo, Rafael Maritinez and many more.
The use of the Timbales spans over Genres like Salsa, Merengue, Afro-Latin Jazz, Cumbia, Mambo, Rumba, Neo Bossa Nova, Latin Rock and more.

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