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FILL PRIMER
We start with the idea of building fills from components or building blocks. In this simple idea I
have given 7 fill components (A to G below) each with a length of 1/4 note and each with the common characteristic of
having a 1/4 note bass drum beat at its start. This bass drum pulse will help stregthen the rhythm of your fill and give it
a nice bottom end punch. Later try replacing it with a hihat pulse with the left foot.
Familiarise yourself with these component patterns by playing them over and over on your snare as
written. The count is given for each component and a suggested sticking pattern. A to G make good fills themselves. Try to
play each one at the end of a measure and remember to always end the fill with a crash on the first beat of the next bar.
Now we come to the first concept that will make these 7 components in to hundreds of variations.
I want you to try playing each pattern but now change the drum/voice for each component. Below I have given a small example
applied to A and C where I have moved from the snare to the hi tom, mid tom and low tom. Of course I could try all
sorts of other orchestrations - moving up the toms, putting the snare in the middle, incuding the hihat... try any and all
of the combinations you can think of.
Again, play each new fill in a measure of groove with a crash to end the fill.
So far our fill have been 4 quarters long. Let's play them shorter. Very effective and short fills
these.
Now we come to the next variation. It's time to mix up the building blocks. Here are four examples
out of the many. Try mine and then start working on your own. These are all on the snare. Orchestrate them on the toms for
far more variety.
Play in a measure of groove and end with a crash.
Let's apply the concepts so far to half bar fills.
Try mine and then make up your own. First try them just on the snare and then get creative over the
whole kit.
Remember to crash.
Fills can start in odd places. Here are four examples on the snare where the fill starts a quarter
note into the bar.
Try mine, orchestrate your own and end with a crash.
Now we can ornament the fills even more by throwing in a flam or drag here and there. Try these and
come up with your own.
Finally let's ignore the rule we made up near the start and rather than changing the drum voice every
quarter, let's change the drum voice anywhere in the bar. Have a look at these examples and then try your own. You may have
to adjust your sticking patterns and even do cross-overs to play what's on your mind.
and this is all just the start. Have fun with these but soon you will find ways of putting in triplets,
quintuplets, sextuplets, rests, other rudiments, starting in the bar before, starting on a 32nd note subdivision, crashing
in the middle of the bar, substituting the bass drum etc etc...
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