Chapter 2
The Fill(ed) Roll

The drum fill adds a bit more flavour to the rhythm. It can break up the monotony
of the beat plus it can alert the rest of the band when you are going to change the song from the verse to the chorus, bridge or outro - after all, the drummer is the time-keeper
or maestro of the band.

All the fills below are a combination of quarter, eight and sixtenth note variations.

Let’s kick this off with a basic 1/4 note fill where we play the snare drum on the 1,2,3,4

Fill 1

Below is an 8th note fill where we play the snare drum on all the 8th notes –
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

Fill 2

The roll below is known as a standard single stroke roll as you will be playing alternate strokes between the Right and Left hands. R L R L or L R L R if you are left handed.
It is counted as 1E&A-2E&A-3E&A -4E&A

Fill 3

Now let’s mix it up a little between 1/4 notes, 8th notes and 16th notes

Fill 4

Fill 5

The fill does not have to be every 4 bars. You can place it in at every 2nd bar or every 8th bar; just don’t over-do it otherwise the audience may loose interest.
Keep ‘em wanting more.

Below we will break up the piece by adding a little flourish on bars 2 and 6

Fill 6

Fill 7

Lets play 8 bars in total. 4 bars on the hi hat with a fill on bar 4 followed by
4 bars on the ride cymbal with a fill on bar 8

Fill 8

Fill 9

Fill 10

Fill 11

Fill 12

Fill 13

Fill 14

Fill 15

Fill 16

Fill 17

Fill 18

Fill 19

Sometimes it is important not to fill up every note with noise.
What you don’t play can really speak volumes.

Fill 20

Now lead back in to the beat with the snare and floor tom on the 4 of the last bar.

Fill 21

Now lead back in to the beat with the snare and floor tom on the & of the 4 of the last bar.

Fill 22

- End of Chaper 2 -