by Thomas Altmann » Thu May 05, 2011 4:44 pm
Vasik,
it's true that any musician, especially those who play a loud instrument, should develop a reasonable technique to control dynamics.
However, playing softer generally affects the sound quality, i.e. the ratio of attack, tone, and sustain, as well as the time interval that the sound needs to fully establish itself (I think there must be an English word for this; in German we speak of "Einschwingzeit"). Now, every musician wants to produce the sound appropriate to the nature of his particular instrument.
Most of today's instruments, including timbales, are produced to be (over-)resonant; heavy timbal sticks that bring out the maximum off these instruments, are in fashion. As Cuco suggested, timbales that are made from a less resonant material are a clever step. 13" and 14" sizes are good. Drum heads shouldn't be too thick (I recommend REMO Diplomats - at least for the macho). And finally, the sticks should be on the thin side. If the stick attack is too harsh on the cáscara, tape the sticks. Rods are a compromise that will castrate and eventually spoil the proper timbal sound; they are an excuse to still be on stage with the band and clandestinely earn some bucks. (Depressing.)
I have seen a few drummers who can really produce a nice sound with Hot Rods or Blasticks. I can't. I think they are just designed out of utilitarism, to cut down the volume, and without any respect to the musical properties of the drum. I either use sticks or brushes. Back in the past, drummers could play soft with sticks and loud with brushes, and that's the road that I am travelling.
Of course the tuning of the drums plays a major role, too. There are tunings that allow the drum to sound good only at one volume, LOUD. In the old charangas, the timbales were never too loud. That came down to thin sticks and proper tuning, not too high, not too low. I think, Cuco has written someting on it, and - as very often - he was right.
By the way, in the 90s I played timbales with a Salsa band with a 6-piece horn section. One day the first trumpet player capriciously decided to suggest that I shouldn't play so loud. I was really trying hard - until on one of our gigs I happened to stand directly in front of him ...
Drums should be played with confidence and conviction, first of all. The drum, like the trumpet, is a "confessing instrument", a mean-what-you-say affair. At the moment you accept restrictions that are not musically motivated, you rescue to a miserable position.
Thomas