Phrases in drum kit writing and composing a fill
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can judge how and when to add an appropriate drum fill to a drum groove.
Key learning points
- Pop music often uses four-bar phrases.
- These phrases may end with drum fills, which help listeners feel the phrases.
- Drum fills change the underlying groove of the music to create a contrasting break in the pattern.
- They can use all parts of a drum kit and we created fills using the kick and snare.
Keywords
Phrase - a section of a piece of music; often two or four bars long
Drum fill - a short variation in a drum groove, usually at the end of a phrase or section
1/8th note - a note lasting half a beat; it is also called a quaver
1/16th note - a note lasting a quarter of a beat; it is also called a semiquaver
Improvise - improvising a new idea is to create it on the spot
Common misconception
Drum fills must be more complex than the fundamental groove.
Show how absence of sound can be as powerful as added sound by giving an example of the groove briefly stopping.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils to start by recording several attempts at an improvised fill before choosing one so they are not overly concerned with right or wrong ideas. Model ideas for simple drum fills as a starting point for pupils.
Equipment
A DAW or other suitable compositional tool or instrument.
Licence
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