Create a Drum Solo in 3 Steps

One of the most exhilarating and challenging parts of being a drummer is creating an epic drum solo. This article is going to give you 3 tools that you need to build an awesome drum solo using the skills you already have.

These ideas can be applied by a beginner that knows only a few grooves and fills to the advanced player that has a robust drumming vocabulary. So, let’s get started.

Below is a video I made that demonstrates each of the ideas that are covered in this article. I suggest reading each section, then clicking on the portion of the the video that aligns with the points being discussed, which which is provided in the video description.

Time is Everything

Drumming is all about groove and a good drum solo always has a solid bet. Above all else, you must keep time so the listeners, other musicians, and you can always feel time. The most iconic drum solos ever always have a memorable groove and are not always the most complex. Some simple solos that focus on groove are Gene Krupa’s Sing, Sing, Sing, Ron Willson’s (The Surfaris) Wipe Out, and Roger Taylor’s (Queen) We Will Rock You. In all cases, groove drives the music and time is consitent.

In the end, it is essential that time serves as the cornerstone of your drum solo; so, as you are putting together different ideas make sure the pulse is continuous. One way to do this is to keep the hi-hat or bass drum going, which requires independence. Here is a video that demonstrates this concept. 

Keep Time & Use Space

One of my favorite jazz musicians is the trumpeter Miles Davis because he uses a lot of space in his solos. Miles considered the notes he didn't play to be just as important as the ones he did. Likewise, I believe using space is a powerful way to create an epic drum solo. If a drum solo is just a barrage of notes, then none of the notes will seem important. However, if there is space, then the listener's ears get a rest and become intrigued by what is about to happen. 

A great example of using space in a drum solo is Joe Morrello’s iconic solo in the jazz classic Take 5. This is a great example of leaving the listener in anticipation of what is about to come; yet, he still maintains time, displays his chops, and keeps it interesting.  

Patterns & Rudiments: The Lifeblood of Drumming

Rudiments and patterns are the essence of good drumming. While I have seen many YouTube drummers talk about how “you don’t need rudiments” or “you only need these few,” it is all rubbish. The truth is, the more rudiments and patterns you know the better you will be. When building a drum solo, it is essential that you keep adding to your drumming vocabulary. What is drumming vocabulary? I’ll give you a guess…it’s rudiments and patterns. 

A good example of this is taking a paradiddle RLRR LRLL and thinking about all the things you can do to it. You can play it around the drums, make it into a groove, or even change where the accents are placed. Here are a couple of videos that demonstrate these concepts. 

Motif: Drum Like Beethoven

In classical music, a motif is a short grouping of notes or rhythmic formula. A great example of this is Beethoven’s 5th Symphony Movement 1: Da Da Da Dum. When building a drum solo you should learn from Beethoven, use a motif. Create a rhythmic hook that you can return to. This can serve as a starting point when improvising or a theme that occurs throughout the solo. A good example of this is Gene Krupa’s Sing Sing, Sing (I know I already mentioned it, but it is the perfect example). In short, use a simple rhythmic idea to theme your solo and give you a place to use as a springboard for improvisation. 

Putting it All Together

In this article we discussed three essential components for creating a drum solo: Keeping Time, Patterns & Rudiments, and Using a Motif. In addition, putting together a drum solo should be creative, fun, and build from your past experiences as a drummer. Think about all the music you have listened to, the hours of practicing you have done, and the coolest drum licks you know. Now, take all those ideas; plus, use the 3 steps I suggested, and you will put together a great drum solo. Good luck and keep drumming! 

GET MORE

For more drum grooves, check out Tactical Drumming: Groove Survival Guide, which will show you a number of shuffle variations and other grooves. This can be found at https://tacticaldrumming.com or on Amazon at https://amzn.to/3Qr56pN

By John Owens, Ph.D (Author, Drummer Educator). For John's bio go to https://tacticaldrumming.com.