How to Play Drum Fills and Doing It Correctly
Most of the time, how to play drum fills is a test of a drummer's ability to showcase his strength as an artist. It is a perfect opportunity for him to show his versatility, musicality and improvisation skills that are not usually given for drummers. In a concert performance, it is always the vocal soloist who gets noticed. The bands are usually behind to compliment the vocal showcase of the performer. Same is the case during an instrumental presentation. For rock music, bands are given some leverage and drummers usually get the limelight during drum fills. But what are the correct ways of playing drum fills?
A drummer's opportunity to shine is often related whenever he does a drum fill in a song. Also known as "drum break", it is a time to show his skills, doing a solo performance to promote a better transition from one song to the next. However, be reminded that there is a difference between a drum fill to a drum solo. So, how do you play fills? First of all, you need to know where you are going to play it. There are different parts where you can do it. An intro fill is where you play before the song starts, while an outro fill is where you play a small fill towards the song's end. The most common is the transition fill that is used when there is a change in the song from the verse, to the chorus or vice-versa.
Once you've determined where to do it, you need to determine how long you would play it. Oftentimes, this can be based on the drummers preference, but for fast songs, it is common to play 2 bar fill. Be able to know your transitions and how long it would be to make the right length of your fill. Start by playing a basic rock beat, usually the typical 1-2-3-4 or the 1-and-2-and-3-and-4 pattern. You need to keep this basic beat with the snare, the bass and hi-hats, and continuously doing it in a four bar phrase.
The beginner fills will be played on the fourth bar of the fourth round. You can start by playing the snare, the cymbals or the toms. Make sure not to cut the bar short or make it too long. You'll begin to see how this works as you repeat the process.
One important thing to consider when doing a fill is to be consistent in the timing. It should never offset the beat of the main song. It should enhance the music and not create an out-of-place fill. Drum fills are the drummer's creation but should match the style of music being played. A fast paced rock beat can be improved by striking the tom and adding quick fillers, capping it off with the sound of the cymbals.
During transitions, the drum fills end by the start of the new section, and it overflows with a crash cymbal sounding as the new section of the song begins. Usually, small breaks occur at the end of the line of the lyrics. However, small breaks need small fills which often include one or two extra drum notes. Practice is important especially in familiarizing yourself with the fundamentals in making it sound good. Familiarity with different styles and determining how other drummers perform their fills are great help for you to develop your own fills.
Knowing how to play drum fills are a great way to widen your artistic license whenever you play for a performance. It highlights your creativity as well as shows your progress in becoming a good drummer. The key to be successful in doing this task is continuous practice and exposure to various forms of fills. Listening to how other drummers creatively perform their fills can be a great start for you to master the fundamentals and thus create your own signature drum fills.
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