Contemporanea C-TIM04 TIMBAL 14" X 70CM 16 LUGS ALUMINIUM

Historical Context and Positioning in the Range

Born and popularized in Salvador de Bahia, the timbau has established itself as one of the sonic markers of street bands and Afro blocos. Its role is central in "timbalada" and, more broadly, in the world of samba-reggae: a dynamic, percussive style designed to project sound far and to interact with other percussion instruments. Due to its conical shape and playing method, it shares the same usage logic as a djembe (contrast between edges and center), while being designed for a parade and mobile performance context.

Who This Timbau Is For

This timbau is intended for percussionists from beginners to advanced who want to discover or deepen Brazilian grooves, as well as musicians already familiar with the djembe seeking an instrument with a similar feel but better suited for playing on the move. It excels in styles where a sound that "cuts through" the group is needed: samba-reggae, Afro-Bahian, batucada, percussive fanfares, street performances, and amplified stages. In workshops as well as ensemble rehearsals, it also allows working on attack precision and rhythmic placement thanks to a clear separation between high and low sounds.

Features and Innovations

The membranophone instrument with a conical silhouette, the timbau is designed to offer a wide variety of sounds from distinct striking zones. The edges favor sharper and more snapping attacks, while the center emphasizes a rounder, deeper bass, useful for building patterns alternating accents and responses. Its lightweight design (compared to a djembe) improves comfort over time, especially in parade contexts: the instrument is carried "effortlessly" with a strap, facilitating movement, choreography, and long outdoor sessions. Played with bare hands, it rewards clean technique (open, slap, bass) and good dynamic control, from subtle playing to very projected strokes.

Sound

The timbau's sound relies on two key elements: the membrane and the conical shell. The membrane provides a direct attack and very clear articulation, particularly appreciated in large ensembles where each strike must remain intelligible. The conical shell promotes natural projection and a sensation of quick response: high-pitched sounds produced near the edge stand out with a sharp character, while the center delivers a fuller bass, useful for anchoring the groove.

In practice, this sound architecture gives an instrument that is "conversational," capable of shifting from dry and incisive playing to rounder bass tones, with a very wide range of nuances. It is precisely this contrast (high-pitched on the edges / bass in the center) that makes it so effective in samba-reggae and "timbalada," where energy, rhythmic bounce, and motif clarity are essential, whether played on the street or on stage.

Technical specifications

Instrument size	Medium	Depth	70 cm
Category	Brazilian	Color	Grey
Type	timbao	Hardware	Chromed
Material	aluminium	Diameter	14 "
Skin type	Synthetic

Instrument	timbau	Sound distribution	high-pitched on the edges, bass in the center
Family	membranophone	Context	parades, percussion ensembles, street stages and performances
Shape	conical drum	Carrying	strap (designed to be carried effortlessly during movement)
Origin	Salvador de Bahia	Rhythms	samba-reggae
Technique	generally played with bare hands	Associated formation	"timbalada"