Experiment with drum fills

Playing the drums involves a lot more than keeping time and holding the beat.

A drummer who plays with a few flourishes here and there can lift an entire track and take a song to places that even the writer may not have imagined.

So if you want to do this on your tracks, you will need to learn how to play drum fills.

There are many different types of fills, from the quarter triplet roll to the 8th note roll, but all can serve to embellish and enhance a song.

These create a nice sense of variation and are often employed between different sections of a song, such as the lead-in from a verse to a chorus.

It is also a chance for a drummer to make their presence felt and establish a unique sound - any drummer can hold a basic backbeat, so it is the fills that can define your style.

However, it is worth remembering that fills should not be included just for the sake of it.

A track may demand a more restrained and minimal performance, and you are playing to make a great song rather than show off.

Fills at an inappropriate time can undermine a band's performance, so consider when to use them very carefully.

Product category: Drums