Tell a story – In the same way that an author of novels is more concerned with an intriguing plot than with showing off big words, your goal should be to create an interesting and captivating story with your drums, not just to show off flashy or difficult techniques.

Use themes – Using a recurring rhythm or sound source provides continuity and allows your audience to engage in your solo.

Time signatures don’t matter – When you are playing an open solo, strict phrasing as it relates to the time signature is no longer a worry.

“Beat one is HERE.” – If you lose your frame of reference when following an idea, you always reserve the right to start fresh on a new phrase at any point in the rhythmic “fabric.”

There are no mistakes -- Since your improvised solo has never been played before, there is no previous version to which the audience can compare. You are the only person capable of knowing which beats are intentional and which are mistakes.

When in doubt, groove! -- Grooving during your solo never sounds bad or out of place. Give a listen to James Brown’s “Funky Drummer.” Drummer Clyde Stubblefield keeps his verse groove going throughout his solo, altering only a few ghost notes on the snare. James even sings advice to Clyde, saying, “You don’t have to do no soloing, brother, just keep what you got. Don’t turn it loose, ‘cause it’s a mother.”

You are vulnerable, but it’s OK – Yes, you have the rare task of being the only musician playing at this particular time. You have nowhere to hide, which is part of what makes a solo so interesting. The good news is, you don’t need anywhere to hide. You are well-equipped.