DRUM SOLO - How to Play a Drum Solo

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How to Play a Drum Solo

Tips on How to Play a Drum Solo

Playing a drum solo can be one of the more challenging things to do on the drums. It requires
quite a bit of practice and creativity to get to the point where you're comfortable with the idea.

Take it one step at a time. Learn one drum fill, then learn another. Think of how you can put the two drum fills together to start forming a drum solo. Then add or subtract a lick here or there. Make it sound interesting, different, and more importantly... your own.
Emulate other drummers that are adept at playing drum solos. Study their videos and absorb how they approach them and where they take them. Identify the drummer's style and methodology behind creating a drum solo. What can you learn from them?
Have a beginning, a middle, and an ending to your solo. Let the drum solo build slowly and climax, to then bring it back down to a subtle finish. It should say something, not just be a barage of drum licks, or machine gun speed beats.
Consider showmanship. Crowds love to see stick twirling during a drum solo or anything visual like playing with your hands. It adds to the entertainment value and captures your audience's attention.
Try making melodies on your toms. This will make your drum solo more musical.
Concentrate on continuity from one drum fill or idea to another.
Use dynamics. It will bring a drum solo to life and allow it to breathe. Go from very soft to very loud. Always be thinking dynamically during your solo.
Incorporate electronics or other percussion instruments to spice up your drum solos.

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