Bellydance Drum Solo - Tips to Look Your Best

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Back in the days when I first started bellydancing I was fascinated by live drum solos. To me, they are the ultimate bellydance improvisation. I loved the moment when the dancer turned from a floating cloud into a sharp, articulate instrument... and a fun one at that! Even then I sensed that there was a method, an underlying structure that fused dancer and drummer. I realized that the moment I mastered the drum solo, my dance skills would officially be at the next level.

There is a very special satisfaction that comes from improvising a bellydance drum solo: the challenge of executing clean articulations, the sense of empowerment that comes from remaining poised while doing fast movements, the fun of communicating with the drummer and the audience, the artistry of drawing with your body what the ear hears.

video credit: Rob Rothkopf of Candlelight Productions

It’s only you and the crisp sounds of the drum, and your job is to turn those sounds into something that the eye can see. A drum solo has no melody—it’s clear, sharp and concise. Leave the lyrical stuff for the violin. Still, you don’t want to be a robot! The idea is to put soul into a percussive instrument and dance, while avoiding to turn into mush.

Here are my favorite tips for improvising to a drum solo. Most of of them also apply to improvisations done to other types of music.

• Begin your drum solo by centering yourself. Simply clap, engage your audience... greet them.
• If you're doing a live music show, talk to the drummer before the show, even if it’s just to say hi.
• Pace yourself. Speed is a relative concept. You need to do some things slow so other things can look fast by comparison. If you just shimmy the whole time, after a while no one will notice your shimmy anymore.
• Build... grow things. Separate elements into sections.
• Alternate: lower/upper body; fast/slow moves; short/long moves.
• If you feel overwhelmed, go to one of your “thinking steps”. It could be a baladi walk, a big hip circle... something that grounds you and lets you dance on automatic while you come up with your next move. When in doubt: smile, listen, calm down.
• When feeling that the music is rushing, slow down.
• Go for the main accent or accents. You don't want to try to catch every single nuance for your entire drum solo... this usually ends up looking rushed and frantic.
• RIFFS: riffs are those fun phrases the drummer plays over one of the rhythms. You will probably miss the first riff, don’t try to chase after it. Instead, prepare for the next one by listening while your body is doing a "thinking step" to the underlying rhythm.
• Great charm is added when you interact with the drummer during your performance.
• By looking at the drummer you also make your audience look at him. This is a great thing to do during transitions because you get to focus on what he will be playing next and the audience will be looking at his hands perfectly matching the sounds. HOWEVER, don't just stop and look helpless and DON'T drop your hands. Truly get in the groove of whatever he is doing.
• If you are dancing to more than one drummer, focus on the lead drum to create your accents. If the lead drummer is playing things that seem too complicated for you, listen to the backup drummer and dance to the underlying rhythm. If it's too wild even for that... just shimmy and smile.
• In general, keep your arms slower and more fixed than you think you need to. Look to create definite poses and hold each pose for a while. Changing poses too often looks frantic.
• Constantly work on improving your arm movements and lines.
• Aim to be controlled but playful. Be earthy and grounded (as opposed to hyper and jumpy). A Drum Solo is hard work. It is done with lots of energy but looks effortless. Beautiful arms & hands, poise and a genuine smile make a drum solo look effortless.
• Always share the spotlight. Whether it's with the drummer, other musicians, or other dancers.

Common things to avoid:

• Claws, droopy hands, moving arms aimlessly or too much. 
• Sunken chest.
• Fixed head / permanently facing forward.
• Being hyper and trying to catch every accent.
• Endless shimmy.

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RHYTHM & DRUM SOLO WORKSHOP
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Comments

[Susan Senator]

Blanca - I am a published author and I've also written tons of articles. I mention this only because I think you should consider a book. I would love to co-write it. I have been bellydancing for four years as my escape. Your talent and voice speak to me somehow -- I wish you continued good luck and just contact me if you ever want to think about a book. --Susan

[Nedra]

Blanca, this is glorious! thank you for sharing!

when I read the part about "just smile & shimmy" I had to laugh as I thought back to the penguins in the movie "Madagascar" "just smile & nod boys, smile, and nod!"

and YES! I agree with Sue! you should SO write a book!

miss all of you! be there soon
xoxoxo
Nedra

[Jane]

Hi Blanca,

thanks for this - it's great, so helpful!

Jane.x

[Mary]

Hola Blanca,

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with all of us.

Gracias mil!!

[Callista]

Hey Blanca!

I agree with all the above! This article is so helpful! Whenever I think "drum solo" I think tons of really tight moves and hard work. It's daunting, but this make it actually seem do-able! And if you wrote a book on belly dancing I would buy it in a second! You're an amazing dancer and have a wonderful flair for explaining complex ideas simply!

[Mal Stein]

Blanca this is so well written and important...The Dancing community is lucky to have you...I will be referring people to this page.
Well Done!
Mal Stein...Musician/Darbuka player