5 Things to Know About the Timpani in Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir”

John Bonham used a timpani instead of his kick drum for the main riff. He played it with mallets, creating a deep, rolling, ominous sound that is not from a standard drum kit.

The timpani is an orchestral instrument, unusual for a rock drummer in 1975. Bonham tuned it low and used it like a kick drum on steroids, giving the song its distinctive sustain and pitch bend.

He also hit a gong during the intro, but the timpani is the more unusual choice. The timpani’s sound is what makes “Kashmir” hit different from other rock songs.

To replicate the sound, use a timpani or a deep floor tom with a loose head cranked low and some reverb. But it won’t be the same as the real thing.

Bonham turned an orchestra instrument into a rock legend. The timpani’s role in “Kashmir” is a prime example of creative instrumentation in rock music.