For my examples I recommend the soundfont mentioned at TiMidity server page. But you can test other soundfonts at http://www.hammersound.net/, for example the FluidR3 soundfont.

To do this search for FluidR3122501.zip at http://www.hammersound.net and download it.

This soundfont is in sfArk compression format. Download the decompressor from http://www.melodymachine.com and unpack:

     tar -xvzf sfarkxtc_lx86.tar.gz

Then decompress the archive FluidR3122501.zip (Because of the spaces in file name the apostrophs are necessary):

     unzip FluidR3122501.zip

     ./sfarkxtc "FluidR3 GM.sfArk"

It is recommended to rename the resulting fileFluidR3 GM.SF2 because the Linux shell has problems dealing with spaces in file names:

     mv "FluidR3 GM.SF2" FluidR3.sf2

Then in /usr/share/timidity/timidity.cfg (or /usr/local/share/timidity/timidity.cfg) change:

     dir <path_to_the_directory_there_the_FluidR3.sf2_file_is_situated>

and:

     soundfont FluidR3.sf2

Start TiMidity as mentioned at TiMidity server page.