Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Member since: April 28, 2010
Tracks in portfolio on MusicRevolution.com: 741 (click here to hear all tracks) http://www.musicrevolution.com/search?artist=179
–Background—
Rick Dickert’s early musical studies resulted in bronze and silver medals from Trinity College of Music (London) for musical theory exams. Rick now offers composition and production music for use in television, film, live applications, web animations, ringtones and video games. Rick Dickert’s tracks draw from an audio palette of vintage keyboards, state-of-the-art virtual instruments, real percussion and real guitars and bass. Rick’s music is inspired by classic rock, traditional jazz and classical composers, particularly of baroque chamber music.
–High profile projects or clients you have worked for?
I rarely know who downloads my tracks or how they’re used, but the companies Elizabeth Arden and Ernst & Young have appeared on my track usage reports.
–Primary instrument?
Over the years the piano’s been my main instrument, but as I edit more on the computer I spend less time playing keyboards and more time on guitars.
–Favorite music-making piece of gear or software you currently use?
I’ve used Cubase since the mid-90s and I just upgraded to 7.5 with an MR816csx interface. I love this system and I’m looking forward to learning how to use it to its full potential.
–Piece of gear or software you wish you owned?
I’d love to own more guitars; if I could choose one I’d probably pick something like an Ovation acoustic.
–Film score or song you admire? Why?
I remember first paying attention to film music when I heard the shark theme in the movie “Jaws.” I loved how those few notes made the scenes scarier. Lately I really admire John Williams’ score from “Memoirs of a Geisha”, because of the beautiful compositions featuring Yo-yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman as featured soloists.
–Music education background?
I had a couple of piano teachers and a few vocal lessons from a couple of instructors. I wasn’t a good piano student at the time because I had little interest in the classical music assigned for my studies. I did spend a significant time at the piano playing pop music and won bronze and silver medals for theory exams from Trinity College of Music (London).
Later on the road I continued to learn from some excellent musicians. I also started arranging while working as a single performer. I used keyboards, playing bass with my left hand as well as rhythm and lead lines with my right to a drum machine programmed specifically for each song.
–Memorable “Aha!” moment during your musical education?
Possibly when I realized that the classical rules of harmony weren’t being followed by my favorite rock musicians at the time. For example, I think we may be able to find parallel fifths or some other violation on the Deep Purple album “Machine Head”.
–Most embarrassing music-related moment?
One night while playing the single act with a drum machine, keyboards and vocals, I somehow sang a note that had no useful relation to the chords I was playing, as if my hands and voice weren’t on the same page. It was scary and hard to describe, but I think it happened because my agent was there.
–If you had a time machine and could record or perform once with any artist, who would it be?
I think I’d like to play with Fats Waller, even a small part in his band. I saw the musical “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and read his biography. I would have loved to hear those jazz pianists outdoing each other at the rent parties.
–Moment you first knew you would be a musician?
At a concert during summer vacation in high school, the question of whether I’d continue playing hockey popped into my mind. Seeing The Guess Who rocking out settled it for me; I would quit hockey to spend more time rehearsing music. Obviously joining the American Federation of Musicians was also very significant.
–Advice you would give to a younger family member interested in a music career?
Be open to all kinds of music, learn about business. Plan for another source of income, without letting it become your reason to stop working at music. Ultimately I believe those destined to succeed can’t be permanently discouraged. (Cue the Hedley song “Anything”)
–Five songs or albums you’d take with you to a desert island?
Amanda Marshall’s self-titled first album
The Guess Who’s “#10”
Paula Cole’s “This Fire”
Steely Dan’s “Aja“
Elton John’s “The Fox”
–If you could master another instrument, what would it be?
The cello
–Favorite time of day to work in your studio?
I think I tend to get the most done in the mornings, which I prefer.
–Any studio collaboration you experienced that stands out in your mind?
I played with Hourglass, a Guelph, Ontario based band. We recorded some covers for a club album and lip-synced some tracks for a TV show, which I believe helped me become a full ACTRA member.
–Some of your favorite tracks that you would want us to feature in the blog.
My favorite tracks include—
“Winter Holiday Piano” http://www.musicrevolution.com/search/?trackid=5181
“Royal York Main Theme Remix” http://www.musicrevolution.com/search/?trackid=5139
“Latin Guitar Combo” http://www.musicrevolution.com/search/?trackid=24162
I think probably my best selling track is a dark piano piece called “Atlas Requiem II.” http://www.musicrevolution.com/search/?trackid=5941
By the way, I really appreciate all the communication and help from Music Revolution!
We thank Rick Dickert for sharing some of his musical background with us and for contributing his tracks to MusicRevolution.com, the Royalty-Free Music Marketplace. The next time you need music inspired by classic rock, traditional jazz and classical composers, including baroque chamber music, check out Rick Dickert’s music on MusicRevolution.com.
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Chris Cardell is the co-founder of MusicRevolution.com http://www.musicrevolution.com, a royalty-free music marketplace with over 30,000 tracks online where media producers, video producers, filmmakers, game developers, advertisers, businesses and other music buyers can license high-quality, affordable royalty-free music from an online community of professional musicians. MusicRevolution.com also provides custom music production and custom music streams. The entire MusicRevolution.com production music library is available for third-party distribution and bulk licensing for background music for retail, restaurants and businesses, and for other commercial applications. Cardell has been involved with digital content and E-Commerce since the mid-1990’s.
