VIC FIRTH PRESENTS
HYBRID RUDIMENTS

In this new series, Vic Firth will cover the vast library of Hybrid Rudiments — broken down, explained, and demonstrated by some of the world's premier percussion instructors and performers! Our goal is to create a library of not only the most common Hybrid Rudiments, but to also keep up-to-date on some of the new ideas and concepts that are continually being created in the marching percussion community.

JOIN US EACH WEEK AS WE PRESENT A
NEW HYBRID LESSON IN THE SERIES!



HYBRID SERIES OVERVIEW



THIS WEEK’S HYBRID: SCV WALT-DIDDLES (by Walter Powell)

 WATCH THE VIDEO LESSON:
 
    Contributed by Nick Angelis  



WALT-DIDDLE EXERCISE:
Work each measure on each hand separately




NICK USES EVERYTHING VIC FIRTH MAKES,
BUT TODAY HE PICKED UP A PAIR OF:

Tom Aungst Indoor (STA2)
A reduced version of Tom Aungst's Signature model. Modified to create great sounds for indoor snare.
L = 16 5/8", Dia. = .675"


ABOUT NICK ANGELIS:

Nick Angelis has been involved in the drum corps activity since 1979. Throughout 15 seasons, he marched with The Satellites from Leicester, MA from 1980-87, The Spartans from N.H. '88 and '89, The Boston Crusaders '90-91, The Santa Clara Vanguard 1992, The Star of Indiana 1993, Brass Theater 1994, and aged out of The Blue Knights from Denver, CO in 1995.

As a performer, he was crowned The 1992 Drum Corps International Rudimental Snare Drum World Champion, 1993 Drum Corps Midwest Champion and was a part of the 1993 Star of Indiana World Champion Percussion section.

In 1994, he performed as a soloist in Star of Indiana's Brass Theater Featuring The Canadian Brass. He was an Original Featured Star performer for The Tony and Emmy award-Winning Show, Blast! From 1999-2003. He performed in London at The Hammersmith Apollo Theatre, opened in New York City at The Broadway Theater and was in The 1st National Tour performing in over 40 cities.

Nick has taught and or written, for numerous marching bands and drum corps around the country including: Blue Knights, Boston Crusaders, Crossmen, Spartans of N.H., Troopers (Caption Head/Arranger 2005), Spirit of J.S.U. (Co-Caption Head and Co-Arranger 2004-05), University of Massachusetts at Amherst, 3 Time BOA Finalist and AAA National Champion, Kennesaw Mountain H.S. (Percussion Arranger), BOA 2004 Atlanta Regional Finalist Harrison H.S., and BOA 2005 National Semi-Finalist, Bellbrook H.S.

Nick attended The University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he received a bachelor's degree in Music Education. He is currently the Assistant Band Director for The University of Cincinnati Bearcat Bands under the direction of Dr. Terren Frenz.

Check out Nick's 1992 Championship Individuals Snare Solo HERE!




PREVIOUS HYBRID RUDIMENT FEATURES:

 



MORE ABOUT THE HYBRID RUDIMENTS:

WHAT IS A HYBRID RUDIMENT?
“Hybrid Rudiments” are loosely defined as two or more rudiments combined to produce a new rudiment or rudimental pattern (i.e. “Flam” + “Drag” = “Flam Drag”), though this isn't always the case. Because there are an infinite number of ways to produce new patterns and add variations to those patterns, there is no end to the number of ways that hybrids are created.

WILL THIS BE AN “OFFICIAL LIST” OF HYBRID RUDIMENTS?
Hybrids are continually being created, and we believe that there will never be a definitive list of every possible hybrid rudiment. Our plan is to demonstrate some of the most common hybrids, and open the floor to new and interesting rudimental patterns.

WHY ARE HYBRID RUDIMENTS IMPORTANT?
We believe that rudiments have always been a reflection of the “vocabulary” that drummers need to know to play contemporary music. The rudiments themselves have evolved with playing and writing styles. The current Hybrids simply reflect the vocabulary necessary for today's rudimental musicians.

OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS
You should have built a solid foundation of technique and knowledge of the Essential Rudiments before jumping into the Hybrid Rudiments. After all, it doesn't make much sense to work on the Flam Drag before you can play a Flam OR a Drag! Beginners might be better served by starting with the Fresh Approach Lesson Series and the Essential Rudiments before working on the Hybrids.

NAMING THE HYBRIDS
We will attempt to include the most common names for the Hybrids, but because drummers around the world are continually creating new combinations and naming them, there will never be total agreement on the names and playing styles for each Hybrid. That'll be part of the fun, so let's not take ourselves too seriously!