Wicked Part 1- Introduction and Opening #1 to #5

Here is part one of the percussion book for the Broadway show Wicked.
I play the Opening(#1) through # 5 What Is This Feeling, in this video.
The audio I am using is from the shows advanced book audio CD the last tour sent me. The quality of this recording is not great so please excuse any distortion. It is also stage vocal heavy so you will not hear much drum set but this is very much a rhythm section show and if you listen to the original soundtrack you will hear this.
Here are the time stamps
0:00 Opening discussion
6:00 #1 Opening
9:03 #2 No One Mourns The Wicked
14:00 #2A Elphaba's Entrance
15:26 Discussion and Waterphone Demo
17:56 #3A Jeweled Shoes
18:40 #3B Let Her Go
19:48 #4 The Wizard and I
25:00 #5 What Is This Feeling
In this series I play through the entire percussion book from the Broadway show Wicked.
I have performed 4 runs (soon to be 5) of this show and have played it live well over 100 times. This is one of the most popular and long running Broadway shows of all time (almost 20 years as of this writing). The percussion book is difficult but not because of many technical issues. The difficulty lies in the setup and getting from one instrument to another. Therefore this is a good show for demonstration purposes while teaching and one that will surely be around for many years to come.

[@zacharywilliams2]

Thank you so much for taking the time to record this! It’s incredible that this is not only available, but also free

[@Nargon46]

This is amazing! If I had a second lifetime I think I would be a percussionist, its far and away my favorite part of an orchestra when I see and work shows

[@christophertucker5295]

Wow....!!!! Being a musician (which only has to play 1 instrument) , I understand the fun of making music at a high level with others, but this seems extremely stressful. You truly are a master at your craft.

[@isaacsampson8152]

Sweeeeeeeeeeet!!!!! I enjoy watching this and your snare collection is awesome

[@rickdior]

Thank you, Issac

[@bluelifemedia]

Amazing. Shows so much of what I've always wondered about. Bravo.

[@haydenfloro5561]

This was incredibly helpful to watch! Thank you!

[@hellen70666666]

....:) Wow-Wee...You cannot have any Pain or Muscle Aches to do this job, for Sure....!!!....lol.......🤩

[@Arbigale]

Thank you sir, truly inspiring

[@jesus-of-cheeses]

Wow! Thanks for showing this! Not a percussionist, just a huge William D Brohn fan, more than ever after seeing this. 😍

[@JeremiahKlarman]

Bill was great (RIP:(), but I’m told that the original Broadway percussionist Andy Jones played a critical role in developing the percussion book as well!

[@isaacsampson8152]

I like the vibe on the shaker on the wizzard and I

[@michaelspanedda6390]

I'm really curious about how you make your hybrid mallets (Timpani/xylo, vibe/glock mallets, etc). It's such a necessary thing for these types of shows and there's only so many products that're sold to do that job!

[@ArmandoVargasDrums]

🤩🤩🤩🤩👏👏👏👏👏

[@TheDrummersVadeMecum]

Thanks so much for doing this. I'm curious if you have to be aware of mic placement during the show and play shakers, finger cymbals into / towards any particular microphones or do they usually just get ambient micing and just do your thing. And do they add any noise gating to block any light taping or clicks from mallet changes, or timp tuning type noises?

[@rickdior]

Hi Gary There are mics over each station. In this case cardioid Sennheiser MKH 40's. There are 7 mics total. Alot of it is ambient but certain hand percussion things like soft shakers, finger cymbals, sand blocks etc,. I do play close to the mics.

[@rickdior]

I am not sure about any noise gating but I always tune very quietly and some instruments are very soft so gating is probably not an option.

[@jordanbarbee3419]

Hi Rick I was your wicked percussion playlist and you are a good percussionist but I have 2 questions 1. When did you start playing drums/percussion and 2. Did you do any other shows besides wicked the musical (like miss Saigon)

[@rickdior]

Hi Jordon I started playing at age 9. I have played many shows including Saigon several years ago.

[@jordanbarbee3419]

@@rickdior ok, and I am also a drummer but I haven’t played in a broadway or on tour, do you have any tips on how to be a broadway or a tour drummer/percussion

[@rickdior]

Learn as many percussion instruments as possible including drum set, mallet percussion, hand percussion, timpani and orchestral percussion. Learn all styles of music, Jazz, Rock, Latin, Funk, orchestral,, etc. Learn to be a great reader on all the percussion instruments. Show up early, have a great attitude and prepare for anything.

[@jordanbarbee3419]

@@rickdior thank you

[@keyboard5494]

And now the most important question from the audience: Where is the bathroom when you need it? What do you do in urgent situations? 😁 Thanks.

[@rickdior]

Stadium Pal....look it up. Or just hold it. Thats harder as you get older!

[@keyboard5494]

@@rickdior I see. The show must go on. Great.