Percussion instrument used in Brazil with a conical shaft usually made of light wood (plywood) or metal. The synthetic skin, with a clear, high-pitched sound, is stretched with tie rods. The timbal is played upright, usually carried vertically with a strap, but it can also be played on a stand. The two-handed striking technique is similar to that of the djembe and congas. The instrument is used to provide accompaniments and rhythmic sequences as a soloist in Brazilian percussion ensembles playing, for example, samba-reggae or axé. After almost disappearing, it was revived by the group Timbalada in the 1990s.