The fills on this page will be constructed from straight eighth notes that follow a linear pattern. A linear pattern is one in which only one voice is used at a time so common movements such as a right hand with a kick or snare aren't used. Simple single stroke style patterns would count as linear but for this construction method I am going to make things a little more interesting than that by adding in some bass drums. The movements will require some control of your hand/foot co-ordination so it may be worth looking at this Hand Foot Co-Ordination Exercise first.

Several examples of this fill concept are listed below, all with a brief explanation of what is happening. Each example has two sets of exercises with it, one is a straight snare and kick fill and the second an orchestrated version of that. Try to create multiple fills for each example by re-orchestrating the original kick/snare version.


Example 1

Replace the first note in the bar with a bass drum. The orchestration follows a similar movement to the Triangle Pattern.

A 5/8 fill using linear 8th notes


Example 2

Replacing the second note of the bar with a bass drum. The orchestration uses a flam and some simple movements.

A 5/8 fill using linear 8th notes


Example 3

Replacing the third note of the bar with a kick. A straight 'round the kit' movement is used for the orchestration this time.

A 5/8 fill using linear 8th notes


Example 4

This time the fourth note of the bar is replaced with a kick. Hi hats are used in the orchestration this time which can create an interesting sound in this context.

A 5/8 fill using linear 8th notes


Example 5

The final note of the bar is replaced with a kick. A Reverse Roll style movement is used for the orchestration.

A 5/8 fill using linear 8th notes


Example 6

The next set of fills all have two bass drums in the bar, in this first one the second and fifth notes of the bar have been replaced with kicks. The orchestration uses a mixture of flams and hi hats.

A 5/8 fill using linear 8th notes


Example 7

The first and third notes are replaced with kicks and a round the kit movement is used for the orchestrations.

A 5/8 fill using linear 8th notes


Example 8

Placing kicks on the second and fourth beats creates an alternating hand-foot pattern. Reversing the hands and feet creates another cool version of this.

A 5/8 fill using linear 8th notes


Example 9

The final two examples have another kick added in. The first creates a grouping of 3 followed by a group of 2 which has then been orchestrated using flams between the floor tom and high tom.

A 5/8 fill using linear 8th notes


Example 10

Two kicks have been placed in the middle of the bar and then orchestrated using hi hats and snares.

A 5/8 fill using linear 8th notes


TASK

  1. Using the 2 minute rule, get all exercises upto a tempo of at least 140bpm.
  2. Play a four bar phrase in 5/8 where the fourth contains a linear eighth note fill. Repeat this phrase over.
  3. Create your own 5/8 linear fills, write down any that you really like.

Lessons

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