Creating and Playing Drum Fills

When a song needs a little something extra, drum fills are often the answer. Rather than simply satisfying the drummer’s desire to play fast or loud, drum fills serve an essential purpose in songs by adding a variety of textures and feelings. They are especially useful in transitioning between different musical feels or sections of a song such as moving from a verse into the chorus.

Drummers vary in their approach to creating and practicing drum fills, but there are some basics that can help you get started. First, it is important to consider the overall feel of the music that you are playing. For example, a fiery rock song might call for an aggressive fill, while a soft ballad would benefit from a subtle, melodic one.

It’s also important to have a solid understanding of time signatures. This will allow you to see how many beats are contained in each bar of the song that you are playing and will help you break down complex fills into more manageable parts. Lastly, it is helpful to understand how drums and cymbals interact with each other and how certain patterns work well together. For example, certain rudimental patterns work particularly well as drum fills and can be used in a variety of musical styles.

Once you have a firm grasp on these basic concepts, you can start to experiment with more elaborate drum fills. Using odd-note grouping and polyrhythms will give your fills more character and will help you avoid sounding too square. You can start by simple ideas such as grouping 16th notes into 3’s or trying out new polyrhythms like 3 against 2.

In addition to experimenting with different patterns and rhythms, you should also try changing up the way you are playing your drum fills. For instance, you might want to move beyond the snare-centric pattern that is so common among beginner drummers and incorporate other drum parts such as the bass drum or hi-hats into your fills. You may also wish to change the grip technique you use when playing your drums, which can influence how the drum fill sounds.

Another great way to find inspiration for drum fills is by listening to the songs of your favorite drummers. Listen for fills that stand out and try to figure out what makes them so effective. This will give you a good idea of what types of drum fills to add to your own music and which ones might not be the best fit.

Once you have a few good fills under your belt, it is important to continue to practice and refine them. It is also a good idea to play your fills with other musicians, as they can provide a fresh perspective and valuable feedback on how the fills sound in the context of a song. Finally, it is always a good idea to record yourself playing your drum fills so that you can hear how they sound and make any necessary adjustments.