Priority Access: 'HAMILTON: An American Musical'

In honor of Hamilton premiering on Disney+, we invite you to take a behind the scenes look with VF Artist and original 'Hamilton' drummer Andres Forero and percussionist Benny Reiner!
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[@keauxgeigh]

If they filmed the pit during the show and included that as a bonus on the DVD, I would probably watch that as much as the actual show.

[@JamesonDunphey]

if not more :D

[@Grayham4]

"so I'm the drummer for the show" them: "that's cool" me: "OMG ITS SUCH AN HONOR"

[@wolf-cf3df]

I sat pretty up close to the stage. During intermission I went up and was resting my elbows on the stage, admiring scuff marks and stuff, when I heard a drumstick falling to the ground below me. Through the vent I could see a drumset! I yelled down that they were doing a good job. That was in July. Wonder if it was these guys!

[@sparky4223]

wolf4811 It more than likely was. Most guys in pits play with a show for either an entire run or a few years, depending on the longevity of the show, and have subs so they can do other things and not drive themselves crazy playing the same thing again and again.

[@norahidvegi2848]

EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[@chrisgomez17]

I would have asked so much question 😭

[@orangenwildvlogs6796]

I_Like_It_Here 👎

[@gotya3009]

Me: Omg finally a second crash. The drummer: so basically I got 5 snare drums

[@vongacutan2448]

Got Ya “only 5!?”

[@josephgarcia2333]

😂😂

[@elijones1191]

Is no one gonna talk about the AMAZING high note by Renee during satisfied at 6:56 in the background

[@SEH221]

Eli Jones is it Renee tho?? I'm not certain. but HOLY WOW

[@SEH221]

Eli Jones at this point Renee has left, I'm thinking it's the new standby or Mandy?

[@VicFirthCompany]

This was filmed in March, so it could have been Renee

[@SEH221]

Vic Firth thanks for the info :) whoever it is, they're absolutely killing it!

[@gokuto99]

THATS WHAT I WAS THINKING THANK YOU FOR INDICATING THAT I AM NOT ALONE

[@arothmanmusic]

That fill at the start of “Schuyler Sisters”… CLUTCH.

[@TReeseTV]

Such a nice simple little thing you can throw down, but its so iconic and groovey, everytime I listen to that song, I play along with it like its an important part of the lyrics lol

[@thetxpenguin]

Especially that last syncopated hit

[@jmp_fr]

when I first heard it I had no idea it ran like that. goddamn he got fast pedal skill

[@sgtpepper1138]

@@jmp_fr I'd love to see a pedal cam.

[@paulmcewan5048]

I had not realised that a modern production is so very technical, these guys must be mental giants to concentrate on these little monitors in the cramped spaces available while controlling all the different elements WOW.

[@aronsalomaki9081]

The fill at 7:37 and how he does it with one hand is amazing

[@Lothedrummer]

Heel toe or slide technique is doing most of the work. Just a simple paradiddle between the bass drum and his right hand.

[@ludvigbroll]

Not even that, its just RRKRRKRRKR

[@Grayham4]

aron salomaki I know right? I was thinking the same thing

[@Thedrummaman76]

ikr! its so simple, yet so freaking cool! idk how i never thought of this before lol im gonna use it all the time now

[@Lkease]

It's just triplets split between the kick and the toms...

[@olihhayes]

1:21 the little Hamilton posters signaling the way is so funny to me

[@TheBrokenDJ]

6:50 listen to her singing Satisfied in the background, I am shooketh

[@AP-mq4tv]

1:54 You Mean This Is The Room Where It Happens?

[@JacksonMatayo]

the casual Benny cameo, love it

[@conc3rt5]

This is awesome I'd pay just to see the percussion/drums performance

[@marthadraws4154]

Jimena AVC same man.

[@captainkiwi77]

“So I’m the drummer for the show... oh that’s cool” I would lose my shit Also I love the casual greb cameo

[@ricardodelsilva3891]

Is it me, or is Benny Greb showing up the drumming equivalent of whenever Nick Fury turned up in the early Marvel films and you were left going "Oh my god.....they're all connected"

[@lilymayer3178]

The frantic page turn at the end of the opener hit so hard, I remember how stressful just turning a page at the right time can be

[@KarlLatham]

AMAZING musicians playing on the highest level...love this inside look

[@vashtiramsaroop5410]

This is bloody brilliant! How does this not have more views? I SO appreciate the time and energy that everyone shared to make this behind the scenes (and under the scenes) happen. I LOVED watching them during the show - watching them perform is like watching a show of its own. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

[@KandeShack]

Did anyone think “I pray to God there’s never a fire there!” Such tight quarters with not too many ways out. Great video! So cool!

[@jerichoguevara7136]

i love how the cast is rehearsing while they’re doing their interview

[@MinerDiner]

When Andres was talking about how mistakes show the humanness of the show, I thought that was some really cool insight. A new perspective for looking at mistakes. I never thought about it that way before.

[@seeleyboothfan2]

This was so cool - I'd love to see more of the musicians playing during the show.

[@estellapeterson3967]

The musical would be nothing without these people that work in the pit and I love it.

[@sengroagers1111]

4:44 "It's not overly complicated" *you literally have 5 fucking different snare drums dude*

[@reggiedrumz]

*FIVE LITERALLY FIVE FRICKING SNARE DRUMS LIKE BROOOOOOOOO 🤣🤣🤣🤣*

[@SoundMusicCo]

Great to see some Show drummers, Andres & Benny get some spotlight. Greetings from the Emerald Isle. Vin

[@adamwrightdrumming]

I love how benny Greg walks in and is treat like royalty

[@donnielp3]

So glad Fred Armisen can fulfill his professional drumming fantasies as the drummer for Hamilton.

[@norahidvegi2848]

As a recent fan of the show and also a theatre musician, thank you for sharing this amazing inside look!!!!!

[@tjppercussion]

How do you even manage to get into the pit on Broadway? Thats a dream of mine.

[@_omega420]

Play in as many shows as you can and network, you might meet a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy who knows a music director who knows a music director looking for a percussionist for a show. That's the only answer I can think of, you just gotta be in the right place at the right time sometimes.

[@mikkovaltonen3564]

I'm studying drums and percussion in college at the moment and have same kind of goals. I'd say that if you're a percussionist, do the following: - Practice a lot, I recommend to attend a music school - Learn as many instruments as possible (drum set, concert perc, exotic perc etc.) - Learn to master as many styles as possible (jazz, latin, rhythm & blues, pop/rock) - Play in as many productions in your area as possible and get experience, or do a couple of cruise ship gigs, they're really good experience too - All along the way, mingle with people, exchange contact info and network Bonus tip: playing some other instrument is also helpful in landing gigs and getting experience. I play bass and keyboards as well. Hope this helps and we'll share a Broadway pit some day!

[@FanaticDrummer]

Not much of a pit anymore. They sit off stage in a booth. Like a stage studio.

[@chrisw5275]

It’s much less about your skill and much more about your networking skills. As far as musicianship, you need consistency, solid time, and flexibility. Oh, and a to. Of patience, perseverance, and persistence.

[@100percent-]

Is no one going to mention the notes in the background between 6:50-7:00?? Stellar. Absolutely stunning.

[@takeitfromsnai]

Grace Vestuto i think thats Emmy Raver-Lapman

[@wolf-cf3df]

Love love love. Thank you so much for posting this.

[@gloriahudson9408]

Omg. To watch the drummer at work, unseen, while the play is on... Now the sound has an image.

[@john5619]

amazing talent and i'm lucky that music is such a big part of my life....thank you

[@RobCartwright]

It would be a dream for me to play in a show like this. Great to see my favorite drummer make a cameo appearance at the end too!

[@bryanvaleriani601]

Love this inside look... thanks Vic Firth!

[@VincentGreen74]

I’m cruising thru percussion videos and I stumble in my college buddy Joe Testa living the life. Great to see you man!

[@jps_musics]

Benny Greb outta nowhere haha I love it

[@joefilmco]

God the pre-Civil War drum is so badass 9:16

[@m0_0nturtle]

I'm so happy they included that part in the video! badass is right!

[@jalen2467]

Yet another video Benny pops up in. Love it!

[@AmiltonGarcia]

Rush T-shirt = successfully gig :D

[@hitarophoenix]

Benny at the end ahahahha

[@shanemonteiro]

I actually googled how to become friends with Benny greb after I saw the end

[@stevenprovost2029]

I really love seeing behind the scenes video and lovd the story behind the play and the story it tells of U.S. history... I know one of the cast members from the touring cast of Hamilton and have met him... Would love to see Hamilton in person because i love US history and how the New England States came to be .. Thats where i live in Boston Massachusetts right now !!

[@trevorjamesbradley3010]

Love the RUSH shirt. Musicians appreciate other musicians.

[@caitlinlaing763]

this is so cool and really informative

[@pixieb.9745]

I could watch 3 hours of this!!!!!!!

[@abcdefghijkl__mnopqrstuvwxyz]

I thought the background song was pre record, but the song is live as well........cool

[@FLX_AU]

PLEASE do another one of these!

[@reallydeej]

That was pretty cool :-)

[@praestant8]

I’m wearing jackets that creek because I’m such a badass.

[@KarlLatham]

two geniuses ..heavy hitters in action :)

[@justingarrett2239]

I always come back for 7:37

[@jacobkeppler1984]

This most be fun job to tour with Hamilton

[@rclutsam2112]

The Rush shirt illustrates a common denominator among all drummers, regardless of genre, Neil Peart.

[@sodanomusic]

Great video

[@chatrbanwudhiprecha4357]

i could live in that drum room for like a month hahahaha, would be very cool to work there

[@dallaradrums]

My instructor John Mader played the San Francisco run of this production, and is currently playing for the Los Angeles stint. Go see it live!

[@bobjohnsonsmouth]

Michael Dallara holy shit that’s hella cool! maybe he can hook me up with some discounted tickets haha

[@dallaradrums]

Bob Johnson hahaha if only!

[@gabemcguire2871]

“Mine’s a lot simpler than his... um I have 5 snare drums”

[@gokuto99]

does oak play washington in the live recording here? it definitely doesn't sound like chris's normal voice when he says "and his right hand man" at 9:20

[@evalynn1863]

It could have been his understudy. I agree though, it didn't sound like Chris

[@hanaeve__]

Oh that’s for sure not Chris

[@NathanMeredith1]

A+ for the screlting onstage at 7:00

[@michaelmassaro3483]

Totally one-hands that intro fill at 7:38 like it’s no big deal.

[@matthewpaluch777]

Great job Andres & Benny! Who's playing in the Chicago version?

[@erikjohnnn]

"I have 5 snares... but it's not overly complicated"

[@springbreezegaming4017]

Is it me or around 3:04 is that Lin talking in the background?

[@DrRealEstateCT]

When Benny Greg showed up I was like WHATTTTT WORRRDDDDD

[@ButterKing-28]

Thanks recommended

[@EthanTeaDrumming]

Can we please get a full song?

[@user-en5nu3ek8s]

ㅇㅏ.....진짜 너무 멋있다.....

[@jacobkeppler1984]

It must be a fun job as musician to tour

[@sindrekjosas9207]

I notice he has got some green stickers on the sheet music, does anybody know what the purpose of those are?

[@Yomamahouse180]

What's the name of the song being played on the way to the theatre at start

[@waterlemonandfriends]

1:21 look at the sign oh my god that's hilarious

[@aalegge]

BENNY FREAKIN GREEEEB

[@davidhammers9708]

did they play on the record? who plays bass for Hamilton?

[@beatricenoun9078]

where can I find drum sheet music for Hamilton!

[@jamesandrews7684]

Is it just me or are the vocals like a tenth of a second behind the band at 5:28 onwards. Just kinda bugged me.

[@banksmakesfood]

This is the Disney+ recording probably

[@alexisramos299]

Is he still the current drummer for the show?

[@JoeLackey]

Should've hired Benny for the gig.

[@danielcorado8077]

Joe Lackey right? lol

[@rogierdancona8462]

8:37 ''non of it is worth anything if you can't share it with people'' SCREAM THIS MESSAGE FROM THE ROOFTOP INPROTEST FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. LIVESTREAMS ARE WORTH NEXT TO NOTHING COMPARED TO A LIVE EVENT

[@Antmanpictures]

How do you all deal with latency

[@christianbojarski3324]

The drum set isn’t overly complicated…has five snares

[@ipodgolfer13]

Hey I Know Reiner!

[@klick2destruct]

The loudest instrument onstage is still his leather jacket.

[@killemall69]

My jacket is loudest thing in the show

[@boibblunt3152]

Me: Sees Benny Greb Also Me: Soils meself

[@qqqqqqqqthurz1327l]

Benny Greb 😱

[@aj.guevarra12]

When there's an interview and you here singing satisfied on high notes i just wanna say yow wtf

[@mcrfreako1011]

Hamilton drum fam??

[@fluxmuldar]

I gotta say, that pit under the stage looks really cramped and claustrophobic. I like theaters that have their pits between the stage and the audience, and you can actually see the musicians.

[@rileyhutton]

i’d love to see the musicians during the show

[@courtneythompson6179]

Drum/percussion seem to be in a different area vs the pit near the stage.

[@marthadraws4154]

And I have.... 5 snare drums...

[@emilyindri1836]

Renee rehearsing at 6:10 😂

[@StarLikeRing0]

I think I just became that drummers groupie

[@HighwayLand]

and I honestly thought the music was pre-recorded. Now, with that said, why isn't the music pre-recorded? How much money do they spend just on the band alone? Do all broadway shoes do it like this? And why isn't this public knowledge? I have seen a few Broadway shows (lion king, beauty and the beast), but never had any idea that a band was under the stage. And just FYI I live in Oregon, so please dont attack me with all these questions.

[@lukas_copy_1]

These are all good questions. Firstly, a live band is preferred because it's well, live. There is an energy and connection presented by a live band not found in a recording. Also not all bands are hidden in all shows. There are also open pits which you can see them, but often times this is covered up or not included on order to maximize stage capacity.

[@outlanderfrog]

Pre-recorded music is not preferred because it also doesn't allow for the changes and mistakes that often occur in live theatre, as they mention. It's better because the band can follow the performers if something goes wrong or shifts. For example, most musicals have what are called "vamps" written into the music, where they can repeat the same section until the performers reach a certain cue. I believe all Broadway shows have a live orchestra or band, yes. It's not that big of a secret. Many community and local theaters do as well. Live orchestras can be very expensive, especially at the Broadway level.

[@nausadar9889]

Nobody else thought the beginning was really fucking loud?

[@LukeSoro_MM]

"pre civil war snare" not by cooperman and the ears are loose.

[@JeremyLeGrand]

Haha now I can say the Hamilton musicians use and rely on a Mac! Casual flex lmao.

[@MrBruh281]

The dude has like 5 snares

[@12345678abracadabra]

Curious here but if they're gonna play an electronic sound, why not just play a track instead of trying to 'dj' it?

[@levtokol8649]

You've got to remember the whole musical is live. The actors, conductor and musicians need to all be able to react to each other. Dialogue needs to be accounted for, fermata and any timing inconsistencies. It also needs to be easily changeable during the rehearsal process, when things need to be improved quickly. Playing a track often hurts the "live" sound, and constrains the actors.

[@brianhilderbrand6024]

All I hear is that dudes jacket

[@moreblack]

Does somebody fart at 1:56?

[@maryannebrule-salahari4784]

Big fart at 1:56