Gearing Up for a Drum Solo

The first question I would ask when faced with a solo is, “Do I have to?” Well, that's just me. A more appropriate first question would be “How long?”

Solos fall into three distinct denominations: a specified length of time, a specified number of bars or choruses, and no limit. The context and type of solo you’re going to play will determine how you approach it.

Specified Time
Drum competitions, ‘drum-offs’, auditions, and media spots usually call for a solo of a specific length of time, usually 3 to 5 minutes. It's up to the soloist to manage that time, and temporal accuracy is an important factor. The easiest way to do this type of solo is to decide on a tempo and time signature, and then determine how many beats, bars and choruses will be required. Say you’re allowed 3 minutes for your solo composition (and it is a composition). You decide to solo in 5/4 at 132 bpm. To figure how many choruses you will need, just calculate: Time allowed x Tempo / Beats per bar / Phrase length = Number of choruses.

So:	3 min. x 132 bpm / 5 beats per bar / 12-bar chorus = 6 choruses + 8 bars
	3 min. x 132 bpm / 5 beats per bar / 32-bar chorus = 2 and a half choruses

Specified Bars/Choruses
In some musical contexts, drummers fit their solos into the tune's phrase structure. In a 12-bar blues, for example, you might play two choruses of 12 bars each. In a 32-bar tune, you might play 8, 16 or the full 32 bars. A popular technique is ‘trading 4s’, where the band plays 4 bars and the drummer solos for 4 bars, usually keeping up the exchange for a full chorus. This technique is also applied to ‘8s’, ‘2s’ and even ‘1s’. An interesting twist on this is trading 4- or 8-bar solos in a 12-bar form.

No Set Time Limit
This is the classic crowd-pleasing drum solo, where the artist has complete freedom (within reason). A well crafted solo will build to an energetic climax, at which point the drummer will signal to the band that the solo is coming to an end. The examples that come to mind immediately are Buddy Rich, who seemed to solo until he was exhausted, and Tommy Lee, who likes to ‘work the crowd’ as part of his solo feature.

According to Peter Erskine, a solo is just a series of fills. So Fill + Fill + Fill  = Solo. If you work with 2-bar fills, you’re well on your way to creating a presentable solo.

Structured vs. Unstructured
A drum solo will have some sort of structure, and the nature of that structure will determine how the player gets the job done. A fully structured solo will adhere to a predetermined form. A jazzer who plays several choruses or the rocker who does a somewhat scripted 5-minute solo are both playing structured solos. The time or length is spelled out, and usually the player won't depart from the tune’s tempo, and may even stick to the song form.

An unstructured solo can be quite free form. While a general time limit may be preset, the soloist is free to acknowledge or ignore the music that led up to the solo. That means the drummer can switch phrasing, tempos and time signatures at will.

So, which type of solo is right for you?
The solo style you choose will depend on context. Your solo should relate to the music you’re playing. The strictly timed solo probably won't apply in your typical bar or concert setting, so a structured or more relaxed style would be more suitable. Many drummers find it difficult to play a set number of choruses, and would prefer a more open approach (Tip: If you're planning to play jazz, better get used to playing 4’s and 8’s). So play the tune's structure or just wing it -- either one will work.

It's perfectly acceptable to memorize a framework or even a complete solo. Some drummers rely on a set beginning and a set ending, with the middle part left for improvisation. You can always get more creative as you gain more experience with soloing. And no matter how you decide to approach it, be sure to work out your ending cue with the band beforehand.

Photo Credit: 512058 © Paul-andré Belle-isle, Dreamstime.com