The Sensual Drum Solo

Photo: Dale LangdonThere are many ways to dance a Drum Solo. My favorite is what I call the Sensual Drum Solo, a luscious and wholesome approach with an emphasis on musicality, showmanship and joy (as opposed to an exclusive focus on articulation or speed). By joy I mean "to move emotion through my body so as to achieve full physical and/or emotional release... Expressing love, anger, sadness, pain, sexuality, humor can all lead to joy"1

To be sensual you need to be in the moment, engaging your senses. Improvised Drum Solos are particularly difficult to dance to because they may appear unpredictable and because they are, for the most part, fast-paced. It's hard to relax, enjoy yourself and connect to those around you when you are not sure of what's been played for you... when far from feeling that you are dancing with the drum you feel attacked by it.

If you've ever been afraid of improvising a drum solo (or any song for that matter); if you've ever frozen on the dance floor; if you feel nervous about dancing to live music or to a song you never heard before... FEAR NO MORE! Come with me, I will take you on a journey that will tickle your mind, open your ears and take your dance to the next level.

Action Plan

First off, let's take a look at the elements we will study. This knowledge will make you comfortable in any Drum Solo situation: 

1. An understanding of the Rhythms.
2. A knowledge of the dance vocabulary that works with each Rhythm.
3. An understanding of Drum Solo Figures (Riffs).
4. A knowledge of the dance vocabulary that works with each type of Figure.
5. Practice, practice, practice. 
6. Watching and listening to many Drum Solos.
7. Getting feedback.
8. And to go even further: Principles of composition and showmanship.

Let's now take a quick look at the benefits of Training Your Ear.

- Blanca

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RHYTHM & DRUM SOLO WORKSHOP
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1. Carol Fox Prescott, Breathing, Awareness and Joy.