If you want to learn how to play drum solos, this article is for you. What I'll give you here is a pre-made, pre-transcribed drum solo that's filled with some tasty vocabulary and interesting ideas. All you have to do is learn to play it. Just watch the video and download the PDF and you'll be playing a drum solo in no time... The post How to Learn to Play Drum Solos (for Beginners) first appeared on BANG! The Drum School.
learning to play drum solos isn't easy, but it isn't as hard as you think either.
How to Learn to Play Drum Solos (for Beginners)
Table of Contents
Why Bother with Drum Solos, Anyway?
I know. It’s all about the groove, right? And it IS. But there might be a time when you are called upon to play a drum solo. Perhaps you’ll be asked to play even a short drum break. Whatever it may be, don’t you want to be able to crush it when the time comes?
I certainly always felt that way. And as much as I loved the pocket and playing simple grooves (and I STILL love the pocket), I always wanted to be able to bust out something impressive (and musical of course) when the proper moment presented itself.
It’s not uncommon for musicians to be anxious about the prospect of playing a solo. If you are anxious about it, don’t worry; it’s a normal feeling.
Despite this, wouldn’t it be great if you felt confident about it? What if you felt so good about your soloing ability that you welcomed the chance to step out when the time came? Wouldn’t that feel great?
But how can one get prepared for this? How do you put yourself in the position such that you can confidently play a drum solo when you are called upon to do so?
The Most Direct and Logical Path to Learning to Solo is…
This might sound too simple of a solution, but overall, it’s true. Ready? The most simple and direct path to learning to solo is to learn some solos that you’ve heard others play. Like really learn them. Be able to play them in your sleep. That’s the way to do it. Just pick one drummer who you love and transcribe a drum solo of hers. Then, learn it, note-for-note. And if that’s not possible, perhaps make some small adjustments here and there to make it doable for you. But, I would suggest learning the solo as close to the actual way this particular drummer played it.
When you do this, a few things will happen; all of them good.
First, you’ll be learning new vocabulary. Second, you’ll be learning how to string vocabulary together. Third, you’ll learn the “arc” or trajectory of a solo. In other words, you’ll begin to understand how to build a solo. This is exactly what I did at first. I simply transcribed a Steve Gadd solo I liked. Or maybe the first one was transcribed by my drum teacher from that period. I don’t really remember. But that doesn’t matter. What matters is that I started with one solo I liked and I learned to play it and I tried to make is sound as much like the way Gadd played it as I could.
But Mark, I Don’t Have The Skill to Transcribe a Solo Yet!
I get that.
That’s why I’m providing you with a pre-made, pre-transcribed solo for you to learn if you want to. It’s got some pretty good licks in it. Just watch the video above and feel free to download the PDF of the transcription which you can find HERE.
So, check it out and let me know what you think. And if you choose to learn it, I’d suggest that you learn it so well that you can play it from memory at will. That’s how you’ll know that you’ve really got it.
But Mark, I Don’t Have The Technique To Learn This Solo!!
Well, that’s the rub, isn’t it? That’s one of the cold hard truths about soloing. You do need technique.
Let me give you a quick example of how this process worked for me.
I had the same objection. I wanted to learn some Philly Joe Jones solos. I transcribed the first one and started to learn it. The licks between the hands and feet were no problem. But the technique? Philly Joe Jones had some pretty good hands! So, at first, I struggled. But I decided I wasn’t going to let the technique stop me. I had to improve it. And I did. So, working on these PJJ solos really helped my hands, as well as my phrasing, my vocabulary and my general concept of and ability to play a drum solo.
So have at it!! Dive in. Have fun. Let me know how it goes.
And PS….as a little bonus, if you want to steal some soloing vocabulary from Dave Weckl, just go HERE.
Want to Learn More?
We’ve got several great online video courses for you to choose from. If you want to learn to play the drums from the very beginning, or learn to play better drum fills, just click that button.
The post How to Learn to Play Drum Solos (for Beginners) first appeared on BANG! The Drum School.
