How I Learn Whole Drum Solos

In this lesson, I explore the effective process of mastering whole drum solos. The ultimate goal in learning a drum solo is to internalize its rhythmic language and hone the necessary skills and techniques for executing it flawlessly. My meticulous and focused approach to learning a whole drum solo ensures its memorization and deep internalization.
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[@schveksi]

Wooow, thanks so much Quincy! I studied classical percussion with great teachers, and now I realized that the studying process is practically the same as learning a new piece for any other instrument- bar by bar, than conecting them etc. but rarely someone mentiones that you have to "own" them, or how you say "internalize" them . You are the best jazz metodical drum teacher I know and a pure source of knowlege about jazz drumms and music. Thank you for every video and advices. It gives me a motivation to start practicing again. Cheers! Pavle Golubic✌️❤️🥳🥁

[@drumqtips]

That's awesome that my methods align with your classical percussion studies. And thank you for the super kind words about my teaching methods. Cheers to you Pavle!

[@ddrumcorner4682]

Quincy!! Creating your own vocabulary from established phrases from the pros / greats! I'd agree with this 100%! I'd say this is the NUMBER ONE thing that helped me to develop on drums. I really resonate with this! I more or less use a similar process: 1. Listen..50x whole solo (or the parts I want), then gotta be able to 2. Count, clap and sing the first 4 bars. that helps me to learn the "why and how this works"..which really helps me later when I'm trying to personalize it..whether it's changing the sticking or the placement etc..but, each phrase of the solo becomes a sort of a template for my own new ideas... as in the "patterns of the rhythms", not just the stickings. I'll use groove scribe to document so I can hear and see the phrases daily. That app is dope! Really quick and intuitive. 3. Then I'll start chunking - first 4 bars -get it in my hands, incorporate with my existing language test it out with some music and then try to personalize it as much as I can. Then, keep repeating the process until I've got the whole thing. So I get it in my ear in my mind then my hands. Honestly, that's been a real game changer! Prob my fav video of yours! ❤

[@drumqtips]

Thanks for sharing your process my man! Looks like a very effective process. Glad you like this video my man!

[@erikwkorv]

Thanks for a great video! I think it’s true that you need to find a solo which you really like to stand drilling it all day. However, I sometimes find it hard finding a good solo for my level. For instance it can be that I can’t make out the sticking by ear or other things. I’m sure I can google it but it would be interesting to hear from you which three solos that could be good to start off with for say basic, intermediate and advanced drummers.

[@drumqtips]

Good idea Erik. Maybe I'll talk about good solos to learn for different levels in another video. Cheers!

[@arnonbentman7317]

Thank you Quincy! I’m just getting into a max roach solo and you really inspired me. Thanks!

[@drumqtips]

That’s awesome to hear. Have fun!

[@drumcitybob5927]

Excellent Quincy! Love your process of learning solo’s. Your video’s are a gift to the drum community. Thank you!!👍👍👍🥁🥁🥁

[@drumqtips]

I appreciate that very much Bobby!

[@bradg4562]

Professor Q loved this approach. Thank you for all your hard work and sincerity. You care about the craft and history and that makes me want to practice even more. Now, most importantly get that LIONS foorball you got tucked away on the shelf back there front and center bro! Bloomfield Hills boy here. GO LIONS!

[@drumqtips]

You're the first person to notice "the football" in ALL of my videos for the last 3 years. LET'S GO LIONS!!!! And also, thanks for the kind words about my teaching. But again, LET'S GO LIONS!!!!!!

[@bradg4562]

@drumqtips I'm season tix holder so you are invited to a game next season if you are up this way! Maybe get a lesson in as well? 🥁🏈 GO LIONS !

[@90four6]

Hi and thanks Quincy! Working on a solo right now and this was really motivating and inspiring. 🙏🙏🙏🥁 Bar by bar 😊

[@drumqtips]

Right on my man! Which solo you learning?

[@90four6]

@drumqtips 😊The classic YYZ drum solo by Neil Peart, bar by bar...🥁 My new mantra!🤩😄😅

[@mk-musicproduction]

Good info sharing. Just bought a book from you as a thank you to you. Many thanks Q.

[@drumqtips]

Awesome, thank you! Glad you enjoyed the lesson.

[@tompetteruti250]

Yeah Q! Spot on. Thank you.

[@drumqtips]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@brunotagliasacchimasia3458]

Amazing, I had this question banging for so long...very helpful QD! you are a tremendous helpful source and inspiration! big heart

[@drumqtips]

So glad it was helpful Bruno!

[@danberkerydrums8189]

Thank you for this, Quincy. Constantly inspired and motivated by your playing and teaching! No BS, succinct, and always rooted in the tradition. You’re the man!!!

[@drumqtips]

All my please Danny. Glad you dig my teaching style!

[@pablopersson4199]

Hi Quincy, love your channel. Thanks for all the useful tips. Best regards from Mexico City!

[@drumqtips]

Thanks for watching Pablito!

[@GRMS_Ian]

I had a feeling that was the process. Now I’m sure! Thanks for sharing your experience Quincy 🫡✌🏻

[@drumqtips]

My pleasure!!

[@SimonLopezPsymon]

Good lesson as always ! It's true I only learn by the paper... I should pay attention to your advices in the future 😊

[@drumqtips]

Take it to the next level Simon. Start with a fairly uncomplicated solo and really try to memorize/internalize it. It's a game changer and I know you will love it Simon!

[@achillegabry8419]

Thx a lot ! your way to learn solo's is quite close to mine but it helps to have other point of view and precisions about the process.

[@drumqtips]

Right on my man!

[@JoelCarbonellGonell]

Great advices! My process is almost the same, I love your approach on building vocabulary, I got it somewhere from podcast/radio interview you did! I had to learn a lot of solos (Weckl, Colaiuta...) on the conservatory here in France years ago. 14 years ago or so I recorded myself playing the "Mr. Spock" solo on the Lifetimes Tony Williams Album. I just want to re recordit again on the months to follow! Well, have a great day!

[@drumqtips]

JCG! If you learn TW's playing on Mr. Spock again, make sure to tag me somehow. Would love to hear it. Hope all is well my man!

[@JoelCarbonellGonell]

@@drumqtips I will do It for sure! Have a great week ! 🙏🙏🙏

[@tomcarr4630]

I was waiting to see if you said to internalize. Once again, you didn’t let me down!🙂

[@drumqtips]

We're simpatico at this point TC👊🏾

[@ahnadr]

Already subscribed. Yes

[@drumqtips]

Thank you!

[@rayfabbri3759]

New sub found you by accident. I’ve been playing 60 years. My problem is forgetting licks. I practice everyday and if I neglect a lick for a while I forget it. It’s hard to keep all the licks in a heavy rotation so they are right at my fingertips. When all else fails I go back to practicing rudiments.

[@drumqtips]

We can only play what we know so don't let it worry you too much. Sticking to the rudiments is a good plan. Also, don't TRY and play any licks. Just keep it simple and melodic and maybe a lick or two might come to play here and there. But if not, you can still play compelling solos.

[@nicolassignat6733]

Hi Quincy ! Funny thing is I don't wan't to learn a solo by heart, even if I can see the point (secure an important gig and/or recording for example). I prefer to learn systems and work variations and transitions so I can stay spontaneous and adapted. It's been 10 years I'm working on it and now my biggest challenge is to never lose the form haha !

[@drumqtips]

Not losing the form is much more important than memorizing solos! Thanks for sharing your weakness Nicola! We should all do that. Much respect to you Nicky!

[@nicolassignat6733]

@@drumqtips thanks for your kindness Quincy ! And all your videos !

[@michaelbens1885]

Danke!

[@drumqtips]

My pleasure. Thank YOU! Vielen danke

[@stevenwring7317]

Hi Quincy, new glasses!!???, cool blue tint!!, thanks for the wise words. Question, are you still using the ride with the rivets in?, can't quite see in the video, because I LOVE rides with rivets in, that sizzle!!! fabby!

[@drumqtips]

Yes sir Stevie! I always use rides with rivets.

[@LukeeMurrayy]

Ooh I got on this one nice and early 😬 love the vids Quincy you’re a joy 🥁 Edited to add a question: Quincy, do you have an opinion on slowing down tracks to transcribe? I’ve seen some debate on this before. Some people are fine with slowing tracks down, others are adamant that you shouldn’t as you’re ear will develop better if you just try transcribe to full tempo tracks. My opinion is I try to keep it at full speed but if I’m having difficulty then I’ll drop the tempo a bit so I can really hear the details and work out whatever part I was struggling with.

[@drumqtips]

Hey Lukee! I'm all for slowing tracks down if what you're transcribing is too hard for you to get at regular speed. Just make sure you don't let the "hidden notes or rhythms" you discovered at slower speeds don't get in the way of how it feels at faster tempos. Sometimes we try to play too "exact" when we know too much but then lose the feeling. Those are my thoughts.

[@LukeeMurrayy]

@@drumqtips that’s a good take! You are right, it’s amazing how different something can feel when played at 75%-90% tempo. Which on its own can add an extra level of internalising that phrase as you can get multiple takeaways in terms of feel from one phrase.

[@t-man5196]

Hell yeah I got the 300th like on this video, this keeps happening to me

[@drumqtips]

I hope you play that number and share your riches with your favorite Q-Tuber😉

[@markravitz1684]

I'd love it if you had a printed version of the e books

[@drumqtips]

Working on that Markie ! Thanks for the suggestion.

[@markravitz1684]

@@drumqtipsThanks for working on that!!! These lessons really are terrific! I am a guy who is more comfortable with book form. I come from a different time.....no electronics!

[@mattbayne2012]

Not just a great player...what a G8 Player he is

[@drumqtips]

Very kind of you sir🙏🏾

[@jordonwiersema2807]

In Tabla playing traditionally there is no notation used, but often in modern times it is written down as a reference and never read, similar to what you do.

[@drumqtips]

Didn't know that Jordon. Thanks for sharing!

[@user-kb4pl4gg7j]

いつもありがとうございます🙇 べんきょうになります😊

[@drumqtips]

べんきようになったらうれしいです：）

[@ahnadr]

How do you exactly write down the unsure parts?

[@drumqtips]

Slow dow the track try to figure out what's being playing beat by beat.

[@CurtisNowosad]

Hi 👋🏼 I’m new

[@jmcd9771]

Haaaaaa I feel extra bad hearing that I shouldn’t learn too many solos right after transcribing like 10 of your solos 😂 (Elvin-y slow blues is kicking my butt)

[@drumqtips]

Winnipeg in the house! Welcome to YT "new guy"😂. Hope little Damon is doing well!

[@CurtisNowosad]

@@drumqtips he’s good man! Gotta meet his Uncle Q next time you’re in the city! 🙌🏼

[@CurtisNowosad]

@@jmcd9771 ha! Never a reason to feel bad about learning. I think Q would agree that “too many” is relative! I would say “too many” territory is when you don’t feel you have “permission” to play something unless you transcribed it from someone else-which defeats the purpose of what all the cats you love were doing in the first place. That, and if you’re just learning language for the sake of it-what Q said about choosing solos you like is so simple but actually so deep within the jazz education model-without giving any thought to the “why” and allowing yourself to filter the language through your own unique and amazing brain & spirit to come to a conclusion of how you want to hear it. Q-I’m sure you’ve got plenty to add, please do (for my sake too!! Lol).

[@peterevans366]

The devil is in the detail.Thanks Quincy I own Max Roach's Survivors album on vinyl I bought maybe 30 years ago....Which I need to go back to❤🥁

[@drumqtips]

You just introduced me to a new album. I'll have to check that one out. Thank you sir. Hope all is well PE!

[@peterevans366]

John Bonham took quite A few phrases for his Moby Dick solo. Side A of Survivors is Max solo drums😊 Side B is with classical string instruments. Max was a true innovator❤ I hope you enjoy it🙏As much as I 👍

[@slumvillagecitizen1137]

The haters ??? How 😂

[@drumqtips]

They're everywhere. lol!

[@pablogonzalez9048]

Hello Quincy, I don't know if you remember me, I already invited you to a barbecue in argentine... do you remember? Well now I'm going to introduce you to a very beautiful cousin....you deserve it, thanks for the information and your time. hugs.....I saw you play whit Jocelyn.....amazing!!!!!

[@drumqtips]

Hey Pablo! You invited me to a bbq in Argentina? That sounds goooood but I need more of a refresher. And hopefully your beautiful cousin likes my KZbin channel😂. Where did you see me with Jocelyn???

[@pablogonzalez9048]

jajajaja I saw you with Jocelyn in a presentation on KZbin. Beautiful show. You know, if it doesn't work with my cousin, we'll have a few drinks in a beautiful Irish bar in Buenos Aires, and remember, Argentina has the best wine in the world, check it out, the grape called Malbec, hugs, you already have accommodation

[@mattbayne2012]

Green Tea

[@drumqtips]

Love my green tea!