This 9/8 fill construction idea is following a form of a 332 fill construction idea previously used in 4/4 and applying it within the context of 9/8. The fill idea can also be thought of as a variation on other syncopated 9/8 fills covered at this lesson. At the bottom of the page you will find a collection of links to these and other lessons that may be useful during the learning process.
As hopefully you are aware of now, when blocks of numbers are used in this fashion it is telling you that the notes within this phrase are going to be blocked in those specific groupings. On this page that will be a '233433' pattern. So you will start with 2 sixteenth notes, followed by two sets of three 3 sixteenth notes, then a block of four followed by another two blocks of three sixteenth notes. Each of those 'blocks' or phrases will make a distinct pattern that is repeated through the bar, creating a syncopated feel. The grouping for all fills on this page is this:
Listed below are several ideas using this concept in various different ways. Different stickings have also been included and these are notated when the part comes away from single strokes. A Standard Triplet sticking is quite common within this pattern for the blocks of three. In some cases the block of 4 at the end is broken down further into two blocks of two.
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Example 4
Example 5
Example 6
TASK
- Using the 2 minute rule, get all exercises up to a tempo of at least 120bpm.
- Play a four bar phrase in 9/8 where the fourth contains a 3323344 style fill. Repeat this phrase over.
- Create your own 16th note 9/8 fills using this phrasing, write down any that you really like.
- Create variations on the given examples.
