How do I write a good drum solo?

Question

I have been a drummer for about 2 years, and im in this cover band, but were about to start writing songs, and one of our songs is going to have a solo for every instrument, its mostly metal, so does anyone have any good tips for writing songs or solos on the drums?

Answer 1

well...one thing I learned from doing 7 drum contests from 1999 to 2007 is what NOT to do in a drum solo. a good drum solo should not have be like 15 mins of straight 32nd or  64th notes....you know? .......just keep it down to like 3 to 5 minutes MAX because you dont want to bore your audience

Here are some simple steps to create a good drum solo

1. Basic groove / theme pattern...this is your "foundation pattern" and starting point in a drum solo. You start off with this pattern whatever it is...

2.  Then you go on a speed up a tempo & change to another pattern that fits your basic groove pattern to build the suspense...

3. Then you really hit em here with the rapid fire 64th notes stroke snare rolls,  and all the flashy swichting snare/toms, double bass kicking, cymbals bashing shots and etc. This is the BEST part of the whole thing!  this is the part where you really show your audience your killer "chops"

4. Then you return back to ther first part of your first "foundation" pattern for your finale!

Hope this helps, remember create good solid groove patterns as your "foundation" and good luck.  When you are building a house....you ALWAYS build the foundation first for solid groundwork....then you add the fancy walls, stucco,  the doors, the windows, the flooring & the rooms on top of your foundation...understand?  Think of it like that....

Your drum solo is your house so you need a good foundation on which you build all the other drum patterns on top of it for success!

Answer 2

Get good at tom work... then just develop a tom beat and and throw in cymbals and keep work in snare and hi hat beats

Answer 3

Check out Neil Peart's Anatomy of a Drum Solo.  You won't be disappointed.  Its not really an instructional DVD, more insightful of what inspires him.  I would also try to find what you can on Buddy Rich, Jason Bittner, and Travis Barker.  All incredible drummers and each with their own style.  If anything it will make you want to get behind the set and play.  You can find clips of them soloing and playing on youtube.

As far as your own solo, you just gotta feel it.  Think of it as a way of expressing yourself.  Another thing to remember is what you don't play is just as important as what you do.  Sometimes throwing a pause in there or stalling at the right moment sounds killer.

Answer 4

DOOD, lemme no when u get a good solo and send me a clip or something