Part 7 · Fills · Chapter 86
A fill is a short break from the groove that leads into the next part of a song. Fills usually come at the end of a phrase (every 4 or 8 bars) and land on a crash cymbal with the bass drum on beat 1.
A fill should take up exactly the same time as the groove it replaces. The most common mistake is rushing.
The fill is four quarter notes around the kit. Listen for the crash when it loops back to the top.
Count bars out loud while you play: “1-2-3-4, 2-2-3-4, 3-2-3-4, FILL-2-3-4”. You’ll always know when the fill is coming.