10 SECRETS TO PLAYING A PERFECT DRUM SOLO

[@drumqtips]

Tell me a solo that you think is perfect!

[@christophbrylka6256]

Hey Quincy! As much as I like your playing I like the sound of your drums. Can you please update the drum specs on your web page to your current setup, in particular the drum heads and resos that you currently use on each drum? Kind regards, Christoph

[@drumqtips]

@@christophbrylka6256 Hey Christoph. As I messaged you on IG, all of my specs are in the above description box I’m ever changing my heads so that won’t get added to my website. Thanks for watching.

[@christophbrylka6256]

@@drumqtips Thanks a lot!

[@enriquepardo6563]

So many incredible drums solos out there! Quincy, yours; outstanding flow! This Tony Williams At 25:24 - I heard it back in 1989. To me THEE most perfect drum solo I've heard yet! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJytoIePZax4bq8

[@jazzpianoman01]

Lots of top guys come to mind; Max Roach is the perfect example of musical form.

[@jazzpianoman01]

Max Roach Solo on Parisian Thoroughfare, beautifully crafted and melodic, just one that comes to mind.

[@drumqtips]

Yes!

[@timothyweiss619]

The drum solo from Neil Peart on the album All the Worlds a Stage. This is from 1976 and is compelling on how it takes one for a ride. The solo is in the middle of the song Working Man. Oh btw great lesson today, thanks.

[@benzickau162]

Larnell Lewis' solo on The City Lights is the first solo that ever struck me as completely flawless

[@kristianbraathen4456]

Another awesome video Q!

[@wjreid12]

The solo Buddy Rich makes on the Blues Caravan track of his 1962 album of the same name is, in my opinion, the greatest drum solo ever made by anyone at any time. I heard it shortly after it came out when I was at the impressionable age of 14. It defined for me what the drums as a musical instrument were capable of sounding like. Sixty years later, the impact of listening to it has not diminished.

[@drumqtips]

Awesome!!

[@nathansmith5784]

Not sure if it’s perfect and it is pretty short, but I love Mitch Mitchell’s “solo” on If 6 was 9 at 2:58. Super singable, embodies his style and voice, and helps define the vibe of the song and Jimi

[@garysmith3173]

Favourite solo,Jo Jones,Caravan,1964. Soooo elegant! Great solo from you as well.

[@drumqtips]

That’s a great one Gary!

[@robertreynolds5663]

"song x". remarkably on Geffen! I've loved free jazz drumming like "endangered species" for years now. It sounds like Jack and Denardo are soloing and crashing out through the form and focusing on dynamics. Incidentally, the last church gig I played, the least comfortable part for me was the instruction "crash out at the end."

[@drummermomcjs]

Great lesson Quincy, could you explain a little more in-depth the idea of playing the form or following the form. I enjoyed the solo at the end, but I am not sure how to evaluate whether it followed the form or not. Perhaps a video on that concept could be helpful, and if you have already done such a video then a link to it would be most appreciated. Thank you for the content that you provide here on KZbin.

[@drumqtips]

Good idea!

[@wurdofwizdumb1928]

I am a really big fan of Jojo Mayer’s solo in the song “Jabon” from the modern drummer festival. Much love brother!!! ❤❤

[@wurdofwizdumb1928]

1:25 What a sick groove 🎉

[@drumqtips]

Yes! Jojo Mayer!!!!

[@simongpatterson]

Two Bass Hit - PJ Perry Quartet from Alto Gusto 👍

[@luiszuluaga6575]

Thank you so much for these wonderful lessons, Quincy! 🤎🥁🥢✊🏽

[@drumqtips]

My pleasure!

Brian Blade - ending solo on Jazz Crimes with Joshua Redman.

[@drumqtips]

Absolutely Mike!

[@roccosamuele9323]

Thank you, Q🙏 What an inspiring lesson. You pack so much into a short lesson. You blew me away when you said dynamics create “a sense of drama.” Exactly. I loved the solo analysis, too. But man that was a nice solo! 🔥 🔥

[@drumqtips]

My pleasure Roc!!

[@billbigler1366]

Very nice lesson Q. And very nice solo at the end. For the most part I find drum solos boring. But maybe those drimmers were not following your ten tips. I will work on for my solos. Bill.

[@drumqtips]

Ha! Feel free to pass my Q-tips along to any drummers in need🤣🤣. Thanks Bill

[@jmfs3497]

YES, Q! You put into words things I felt, but couldn't identify. Bringing the band back is balancing the Traditional in my experience. I like to go far out, but still reference the ONE, but experimenting around the pulse of the Form to always bring everyone around that ONE is really what shares the experience. Music is so weird in the best way possible.

[@drumqtips]

Right on!

[@derekbaker2665]

My favorite of all time is the Charlie Adams solo on the song Marching Season on the Yanni Live at the Acropolis DVD. It’s got technique, dynamics and crowd participation.

[@drumqtips]

I’ll have to check it out Derek. Thanks for sharing!

[@wordsmusicconcerts]

Thanks for another helpful lesson, Quincy. Working on putting together a short solo on "Alone Together" for an upcoming show and these tips (and your solo) are very helpful. Thanks! Alan

[@simongpatterson]

St Louis Blues - Lex Humphries - from Dizzy's Have Trumpet Will Exicte. Also anything by Quincy Davis 😜

[@drumqtips]

Love Lex!! Q…not so much. 🤣🤣

[@constantkiffer8672]

Very interesting lesson Quincy. Thank you once more ! Concerning your question about the "perfect solo" , there might have been quiet a lot in the long Jazz-History.. Spontaneously, I think of the 2 Jazz-Masters of the 50' and 60' Joe Morello ("Take five") and Max Roach ("The drum also waltzes") and, of course, of Tony Williams ( "Sister Cherryl- Live in N.-Y. 1989"). :-))))))

[@drumqtips]

Absolutely Constant!

[@huascargarcia110]

Thanks for the video! It does help a lot to make me think about solo ideas. I wish you had given specific examples on some of the points, especially on balancing traditional and modern styles. In any case, I thought your solo was very tasty and musical. I don't know if it was "perfect" or not, but the ideas were succinct and interesting.

[@tdrum21]

Ready!

[@drumqtips]

💪🏾

[@roromoho]

Any solos by Jeff Hamilton

[@eddyerrol]

Most everything by Max; Buddy's brush solo on "Broadway"; Blakey on "Sincerely Diana"; Morello on the live "Castilian Drums" at Carnegie Hall.

[@emmanuellevy7572]

Man, great video! Loved the tradition vs modern approach but hemiolas???? What kind of beast is that?? Do you have an example or two?

[@emmanuellevy7572]

I know now thanks to another video of yours! Hemiolas! of course!

[@maleklakhoua3927]

Nice new birthday Glass Q ! Please advice on how to keep the form within the solo 😮‍💨. thank a lot for one more great Q Tip !! Peace !

[@drumqtips]

Merci Malek! Keep the melody running in your head to keep the form.

[@maleklakhoua3927]

@@drumqtips All right Maestro ! Thank you !! melody running running running :) Peace my bro

[@benfox8709]

What is the best way to play from the heart do you think? Hear it in your head as you play it? Golden stuff in this video thank you

[@drumqtips]

Mean every note you play and put your whole being into each of those notes.

[@benfox8709]

@@drumqtips thank you so much

[@poyrazaldemir6401]

"B" section of the solo was a killer!

[@drumqtips]

I’ll work on the A sections. Lol! Thanks for watching.

[@poyrazaldemir6401]

@@drumqtips haha no that's not what I meant! A section is great, B is greater:)

[@chrisd.8453]

Far More Drums by Joe Morello. In 5/4 no less! So musical!

[@drumqtips]

No doubt Chris!

[@thibodaux3424]

Any good tips for bringing the band back in? How can that be practiced outside of having the band in the practice room?

[@drumqtips]

Play a lot with people. The more times you have to bring a band back in, the better you’ll get. Also check out how the masters do it and copy them.

[@yoomat66]

Can you give us example of melodic idea and motif

[@drumqtips]

I’ll try to make a lesson on this. Thnx

[@yoomat66]

@@drumqtips ありがとう☺

[@borisnot]

For me, there's a lot of drummers who have each one a different understanding of soloing, but all of them can play perfect solos... e.g. Antonio Sanchez, Dave Weckl, Benny Greb, Todd Sucherman, Gergo Borlai...

[@ibleebinU]

While it may be simplistic and not sophisticated as many great jazz solos are..Ron Bushy on In-a-gadda-da-vida. Nice intro, rhythmic fills and finishes to fade into the pulse. Inspired me to play then and I found my way to the jazz world from there.

[@drumqtips]

I’ll have to check that out. Thanks for sharing!

[@garyguthrie1507]

Drummer Steve Davis solos contain all 10 secrets and very musical! If you don't know of him,check him out.He is a joy to watch! thanks for sharing your Mr. Davis

[@drumqtips]

I’ll have to check him out. Thanks for sharing!

[@flotuc]

Walking by tony on four and more, 1964.... is kind of perfect f me!

[@samgreen8865]

Daahoud Max Roach

[@drumqtips]

Yes!

[@jazzpianoman01]

Max is the perfect example; also Parisian Thoroughfare

[@simongpatterson]

Allan Ganley - The Most Beautiful Girl in the World - from Tubby Hayes Down in the Village - for us Brits 😎

[@christianwagenseil9621]

11:50 😂😂😂😂

[@drumqtips]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@HarryJoiner]

Anything by Jeff Hamilton

[@mattnieri1202]

Shelley Manne - Un Poco Loco

[@drumqtips]

So great Matt!!

[@emontzka]

Shelley Manne is a killer! Check out “Wagon Wheel” from Sonny Rollins Way Out West for a great medium tempo brush solo example.

[@danf8172]

I think what I’m having trouble with is my vocab. I always feel rhythms I want to play while soloing but I can’t execute them and so I’m stuck playing this limited vocabulary of licks I’m not actually hearing in the moment

[@drumqtips]

Force the vocabulary into your playing when shedding. Also make sure you’re listening as much as possible to the drummers playing with the vocab you like. It’ll start coming out eventually.

[@李昊烨]

Brian Blade-jazz crime

[@tomcarr4630]

Thanks again for the help and inspiration! Outside of trading 4s, I have never been happy with my soloing. To me, if a solo is musical and fits the tune, I enjoy listening to it. Doesn't have to be all of the "drumnastics" we so often see. Here's Joe Morello with a solo I cannot see enough! kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2XYmZ16eteIY7s

[@drumqtips]

Absolutely Tom!

[@normanbell4091]

Is there such a thing? Having just started on this journey, it seems that drummers want to retain there individuality, yet always giving a nod to greats from the past.

[@connerogesby793]

I think Brian Carter’s solo on Caravan with Chad LB is the perfect drum solo. Dynamics, building to a climax, playing to the vamp… It’s perfect

[@drumqtips]

BC is my man!

[@christianwagenseil9621]

I‘d be happy if I could play just one chorus without messing it up

[@drumqtips]

Me too! 🤣🤣

[@charlesmcfinley679]

The perfect drum solo is the one that doesn't happen, because drum solos are so entirely unnecessary. Drummers are there to support the song.

[@drumqtips]

Ha! Hot take. I agree mostly; but it’s good to cut the drummer loose every once in a while or else drummer may get pissy. Even James Brown, the groove master himself cut his drummers loose every once in a while.

[@charlesmcfinley679]

@qtip104Jazzdrumlessons FairPoint, professor. Pissy, most of us do get, ha!

[@karljansen8043]

Why people dont watch because u talked too much before u begin

[@drumqtips]

I agree 100% with you Karl although 7K views is quite a lot of people who have watched it. Anyways, I'm always trying to find the balance of talking, playing and the introduction length.