Sonata for Timpani is composed in three movements Mysteriously Jazz-Like and Fast and includes unusual techniques like striking the bowl of the timpani rolling between two drums striking the timpani with fingers and playingin the centre of the head. The work is now a standard in the solo timpani repertoire.American composer Percussionist conductor and educator John Beck is now Professor Emeritus of Percussion at the Eastman School of Music inRochester New York after nearly fifty years on the faculty. In addition to his long performing recording and teaching career he has also published the Encyclopedia of Percussion.

Three Dances for Solo Timpani was written in 1998 and dedicated to percussionist Neil Grover. The dances can be performed as individual solo works or together as a suite. Melodic intervals and timbre contrasts provide color for each dance. Subtle ambiguity in rhythm, pulse, and pacing create a challenge for the performer and listener. The composer was influenced by several different styles and periods of music in the writing of Three Dances.

Mahler Symphonies 1-3-Herbert has provided a comprehensive performance analysis for the timpani parts of Mahler's three symphonies. Includes complete parts for practice and performance.