The construction method presented on this page should shopefully be quite straight forward. You will be taking some standard 5/8 Groove Patterns and replacing a section of the bar with four sixteenth notes. This will be the same idea as our Quarter Bar Fills covered in Level 0 for 4/4 but applied to this time signature. I will start by showing the pattern in the obvious position at the end of the bar first then I will show how the block can be moved around to create some interesting patterns.

Several examples of this fill construction idea are listed below, all with a brief explanation of what is happening. Remember to experiment with varying and constructing your own fill ideas using this concept.


Example 1

As discussed in the eighth note version of this lesson, straight rolls on the snare can make great fills.

A 5/8 fill built around four sixteenth notes


Example 2

Adding accents to the a straight snare part within this time signature can make some awesome 'jagged' rhythms. Here those accents are on count 1 and count 3.

A 5/8 fill built around four sixteenth notes


Example 3

Then a version with more accents included within the bar.

A 5/8 fill built around four sixteenth notes


Example 4

A straight roll around three the kit that is very similar to the Moving In Twos single stroke roll orchestration.

A 5/8 fill built around four sixteenth notes


Example 5

Another roll idea using a slightly more complicated movement movement. The intention is to use single strokes through the whole bar.

A 5/8 fill built around four sixteenth notes


Example 6

One more roll idea this time based on the Triangle Pattern.

A 5/8 fill built around four sixteenth notes


Example 7

This fill idea is quite similar to the accent idea. However, you are playing the accented notes on a snare and cymbal and filling in the other notes with a kick. When using 16th notes this style of fill can get quite complicated so don't be afraid to slow it down.

A 5/8 fill built around four sixteenth notes


Example 8

Another crash accent idea, a slightly easier version this time.

A 5/8 fill built around four sixteenth notes


Example 9

This fill combines rolls over drums with cymbals.

A 5/8 fill built around four sixteenth notes


TASK

  1. Using the 2 minute rule, get all exercises upto a tempo of at least 120bpm.
  2. Play a four bar phrase in 5/8 where the fourth contains a fill. Repeat this phrase over.
  3. Create your own 5/8 fills, write down any that you really like.

Lessons

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