“Rick Dior is the quintessential percussionist’s percussionist. His mastery of all of the many and varied instruments and styles make him the consummate performer as well as pedagogue. Rick’s techniques are a must for any serious student of percussion.”
Carol Stumpf
Principal Timpanist, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
“Rick’s book is about “versatility” — being able to play well in current styles as both a drum set player and as a percussionist. Such skills are invaluable in today’s musical workplace and Rick provides realistic and practical exercises to achieve those skills.”
Ed Soph
Instructor, North Texas State University
Drum set Artist
“Advanced Coordination for Drum Set and Hand Percussion offers students and teachers alike the tools to perform some of the most innovative and captivating styles in commercial music. This is a book every percussionist should have in his or her library.”
John R. Beck
Percussion Faculty, NC School of the Arts
“Advanced Coordination for Drum Set and Hand Percussion is the kind of method only available from an experienced player and teacher. Rick’s book is thorough, down-to-earth, and easy to use. I especially enjoyed the inclusion of the Latin and Afro-Cuban grooves for hand drums, the many references to other books and helpful recordings, and the binding that allows the book to lay flat.”
Jon Metzger
Artist in Residence, Elon University
Associate Editor, IAJE Journal
Musser Clinician
“Advanced Coordination for Drum Set and Hand Percussion is a comprehensive curriculum for developing the complete drummer/percussionist. Drum set and hand drumming have been vital components of my percussion curriculum for many years. In order to cover the areas of independence, jazz, rock, funk, Latin, conga and bongo techniques, my students have had to purchase many separate books supplemented by my own handouts. Rick Dior has put everything into one neat package with this book. The conga, bongo, and timbale sections contain information as complete as I’ve seen
in any separate volume on the subject. Upon completion of this curriculum, a percussionist will possess all the rhythmic and stylistic tools necessary to perform in any contemporary musical setting.”
B. Michael Williams, Ph.D.
Professor of Percussion, Winthrop University
Associate Editor, Percussive Notes Magazine
“I love this book. Your mind begins to expand as your limbs work through the various levels of intricacy that are presented. The versatility that is achieved can be applied to any genre of music. The material is very thoughtful and comprehensive, and the exercises are actually soulful and fun to play. It is obvious that Rick has spent many years of experience and experimentation towards the outcome of this fine book.”
River Paul Guerguerian
International multi-percussionist and recording artist
Co-founder of Talujon Percussion Quartet
“This is just an excellent book for developing the kinds of skills that the working contemporary percussionist must have. It is put together in a logical and methodical way, so that the player can work through the coordination in an organized and step-by-step fashion. One of its greatest strengths is that unlike most books, it is not style “specific”, but rather demonstrates the need for acquiring coordination facility from genre to genre and perhaps even more importantly, from sticks to hands. In today’s music world, there is no longer a division between drum set and “percussion”,
and the contemporary player must have the ability to adapt from one instrument to another. This book will help you acquire that ability. It is a clear reflection of the author — thoughtful, organized and well-rounded, and a pleasure to sit with.”
Michael Spiro
International Master Percussionist
Recording Artist
“I believe this book is a must for any aspiring percussionist. No book to date does such a thorough job of introducing the various technical and stylistic genres that today’s percussionist is required to know. In particular, Rick has done an outstanding job compiling pages of authentic Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian grooves and transcribing them for drum set. Any serious percussionist should have this in his or her library.”
Jason Nicholson
Adjunct Professor of Percussion, Winthrop University
Director of Percussion Studies, Rock Hill, SC School System
Former Student
“I have worked on Rick Dior’s method and the materials from this book for over ten years. I long concluded that his highly complex, yet progressive systems are not only necessary for developing independence, but are also practical for every playing situation I have found myself in as a working musician. His rhythmic combinations are intelligent, useful, fun, and above all, endless and will challenge me as a musician and a teacher for the rest of my life.”
Rick Cline
Director of the Lenoir-Rhyne Percussion Program
Former Student
