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: THE RUDY-MENTAL (from Rudy Gowern)

 WATCH THE VIDEO LESSON:
 
    Contributed by Rudy Gowern  



RUDYMENTAL EXERCISE:
Work each measure separately

RUDY USES:

Thom Hannum (STH)
A round tip with a very long taper and thick neck for great control and response‚ especially at low dynamic levels. L = 16 5/8" | Dia. = .690"


ABOUT RUDY GOWERN:

Rudy Gowern has been involved with percussion for almost 30 years. He was a member of the Boston Crusaders 1988-1992 and then aged out of the 1993 Star of Indiana World Champions Drumline. He has finished 3rd (93) 5th (92) 4th (91) and 7th (90) at the Drum Corps International Individual and Ensemble Snare Drum Championships. Rudy also studied with Jazz legend Alan Dawson and attended The University of Massachusetts, and Florida Community College, Jacksonville FL.

Rudy served on the percussion staff for Magic of Orlando (94, 95), Phoenix (95) and the Boston Crusaders 1996, 1998. He was named caption head for the Crusaders in 1999-2001. Rudy was the Percussion Director for the King Philip Regional High School Marching Band and Indoor Drumline from 2005-2007 and is now serving as Percussion Director/Arranger for Mt Juliet High School, Mt Juliet, TN. He is currently the Marching and Product Marketing Manager for the Pearl Corporation.

Rudy lives in Murfreesboro, TN with his wife Ondrea, their 2 cats (Samba and Sox) and their new puppy (Dawson).

Check out Rudy's 1993 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!