Drum Fill #14

PRINT NOTATION (The notation for #2 in the video is wrong. Please look at the notation below when following along)

Because this pattern repeats after every three strokes, it can be difficult to keep your place in the measure. Sixteenth notes are naturally grouped into fours. A three-part pattern within the groups of four sixteenth notes causes the pattern to start over in a different place each time around.

To make it easier to keep your place, take note that there are six cymbal strokes before the end of the fill. The measure ends on the sixth cymbal.

It’s also fun to break #1 in half and use it as a half-measure fill. The second half (starting on beat 3) rocks.

Drum fill #2 is actually a drum fill extension, meaning that you add it on to drum fill 1, extending the fill another beat and a half. Number 2 can be used to extend any drum fill. So, have fun experimenting with your current arsenal of fills.

If you come up with some cool variations of this fill, please share them in the comments below. We enjoy hearing from you!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for Steve Ley’s free drum beat, including audio samples.

IMPORTANT: Next week we won’t have a Friday drum fill because of the Thanksgiving holiday here in the US, but we’ll be back to it the following Friday.