What is a Drum Solo? 🥁
Let’s talk about one of the most iconic parts of belly dance — the drum solo. If you have ever seen a belly dancer freeze the room with nothing but sharp hips, crisp isolations, and bold energy, chances are you were watching a drum solo. It is the moment where the dancer and the rhythm become one, and honestly, it is my absolute favourite part to perform.
Where did it all begin?
The drum solo in belly dance has roots in Middle Eastern music and performance traditions, where percussion instruments like the darbuka (also called tabla) took center stage. These rhythms would often feature in longer belly dance routines, especially in a mejance, which is the powerful entrance piece dancers use to introduce themselves. Traditionally, the mejance would end with a short burst of a drum solo to leave a lasting impression. Over time, that final spark evolved into a standalone art form.
The instruments behind the beats
The heart of any drum solo is the darbuka, that beautiful goblet-shaped drum known for its deep doums and crisp teks. You might also hear the riqq, frame drums, or sagat (finger cymbals) woven in to add texture. What makes the drum solo so captivating is not just the beat, but the silence in between. That space gives the dancer a chance to breathe, isolate, and strike.
The magic of the moment
When I dance a drum solo, it feels like the moment everything changes. People might be chatting or eating, but once the drum solo starts, the room shifts. They put their food down, they look up, and they watch. The isolations demand attention. Your body becomes the drum. The contrast between stillness and explosion, between tension and release, is what makes it so mesmerising.
Even when I first saw a belly dancer live, I remember that exact feeling. I was 17, walking through Green Lanes in London, and ended up at a restaurant where a dancer performed. That dancer was the incredible Tara Lee, who I actually know now. I remember thinking, how does she do that? The pops, the control, the confidence. It left something imprinted in me forever and I have been in love with drum solos ever since.
A little history and one iconic queen
Drum solos have come a long way. They used to be a short section in a longer routine but now they stand on their own, full of drama and technical skill. One dancer who really defined the art of the drum solo is Fifi Abdou. She could command a room with the smallest movement and express every beat with charisma and control. She was fire and elegance at the same time.
What to wear
When it comes to costuming, go for something that shows off your technique. Fringe on the hips or a layered belt helps the audience see your isolations. You can go for a traditional bedlah (a classic belly dance costume made up of a decorated bra, belt, and skirt or harem pants) or a modern fusion style, just make sure it moves with you. Drum solos are bold and your outfit can reflect that energy.
Evolving with the rhythm
Drum solos are always evolving, and the more you dive into them, the more you realise that not all rhythms are the same. Some rhythms actually call for very specific movement. For example, the Ayoub rhythm is strong, repetitive, and grounded. It is built on a simple pattern — dum tek — and is commonly used in Zar ceremonies, which are traditional healing rituals. The feel is earthy and primal, not delicate or floaty. You would not typically do soft hip drops or figure eights here. Instead, you might use hip lifts, repetitive footwork, or even hair tosses and head movements to match its intense and trance-like energy. This is where expression can get wild and beautiful. Hair becomes part of the dance. The power lies in your ability to recognise that rhythm and respond with movement that respects and enhances its essence.
Dancing to a live drum solo
Dancing to a live drummer adds another layer of intensity, connection, and challenge. Unlike recorded music, where you know exactly what is coming, a live drum solo demands real-time communication between the dancer and the musician. You need to be fully present, listening to every accent, every pause, and every surprise. The drummer may give you a cue — a tiny eye flick, a breath, a smile — and you need to be ready to catch it. You have to trust one another, read each other's timing, and flow as one. It is thrilling. The energy in the room becomes electric because you are both creating the moment live. Every isolation, every shimmy, every stillness becomes more alive when it is shared in that unrepeatable instant.
Want to learn?
I teach drum solo technique and choreography in my courses, and I have just released a brand new one minute drum solo choreography to Monique Drum by Jonathan Benelli. It is fierce, fun, and full of juicy accents. You will learn it with me step by step, and then it is your turn to make it your own.
So next time you are watching or performing a drum solo, remember this is the heartbeat of the dance. The audience will stop. The music will breathe. And you will become the rhythm.