The secret to always knowing WHEN to play a FILL

Рет қаралды 7,751

Жыл бұрын

→ Know what GROOVES & FILLS to play! Grab my “25 Practical Rock Grooves & Fills for the Beginner Drummer” free PDF e-guide:
www.thenonglamorousdrummer.co...
The simple secret to knowing when to play a fill is actually staring you in the face in any song…But I understand the challenge here, because ultimately there’s a little more to it.
If you’re trying to play songs or play with a band, and fills are frustrating you to no end - leaving you feeling self-conscious and having to just play straight time for the entire song…
Then let me help you overcome this today. I’ll teach you the “secret” that makes this simple, as well as tips & exercises for really upping your fill game even if you’re a beginner. YOU CAN DO THIS!
I believe that ANYONE can learn the drums, and I believe you’re far more capable of becoming a great drummer than you think you are. Don’t sell yourself short! SUBSCRIBE for more Non Glamorous videos that get straight to the point of solving drumming frustration. Stay Non Glamorous, Everyone!
Check out thenonglamorousdrummer.com for more content, including free e-guides designed to fast-track your drumming progress!

Пікірлер: 40

@KirkHMiller Жыл бұрын

I have always had a fundamental personal policy to lay back and stay out of the way of soloists and singers (almost to a fault) but lately I have been listening to rhythms in guitar solos, and anticipating the negative space in vocals and painting my part of the picture when appropriate. I have found my playing to be much more creative and flavorful!

@petermoeller5901 Жыл бұрын

As drummers we do spend a fair bit of time keeping time and I totally agree, during a solo it may be best to turn it down a notch and let the other guy do his thing. I listen to a fair bit of 1920's to 1960's jazz and you can learn from these guys how the keep time, when to hold back (during another musicians solo for example), when to turn up the heat (when playing) a solo, and how and when to react to what's going on in the song. I guess to a degree that happen in "death metal" but I prefer jazz.

@Fiascopia Жыл бұрын

When I started thinking of drum fills like a melody I found my fills massively improved and started making sense to me. It really makes sense to play off the singer and the melody of the song.

@stephengregorysherwin Жыл бұрын

I am always anticipating when the drum fill is about to come and of course messing it up, sort or like the batter waiting for the ball to be pitched. Swinging to hard and missing or thinking of the fill and missing or messing it all up. I started out reading music because I started in band as a kid and in high school and then I thought I had to read music from the charts, but sometimes I realize I am depending or reading from the charts instead of just referring to the charts or just playing the song. I liked that you said "listen to the song," "know the song," note the verse and chorus and verse etc. That has stuck with me. Good lesson, Thanks, Stephen

@adamhall5332 Жыл бұрын

This is a big thing for me in general as i don’t identify as somebody who can do x or y. Lately it’s running, coding, drums, producing, music in general. If you can learn to not trust that self critical voice and just question it, it does wonders! Love your content man!

@NothusDeusVagus Жыл бұрын

Your lessons are like, Yes! Of course... it makes sense and it's something I already felt. Many of the better drummers I've listened to and enjoyed are those who are taking their time. They aren't trying to cram every silence with sound just because they can. They leave enough space in the room so that one can stand back and take it all in. Sure at times, it's great to be able to get up close when figuring out the details in the piece but once you're done nutting it out, it doesn't pay to get tangled up in details... Phrases like, Less can be more... It's not how much you have but where and how you use it... Quality over quantity... and so on... A good episode Stephen. Thanks.

@user-cs8hh9ph2w Жыл бұрын

I’m very grateful for the lessons you give and always learning and always want to improve.Thank you Stephen , I think I use to much fills with the songs I’m playing at church.Definitely need to use less and put it in the right time when the songs are playing and listen more to the singers.

@DrumsEngineering Жыл бұрын

Great lesson!👍🥁hits exactly the point!

@Cmart50 Жыл бұрын

As usual, good stuff. I've been playing this way for quite awhile now, but wish i had adopted it in my earliest years when i was too showy, and too loud, too often. The last 7 years especially i've gotten so much more work because i'm known for dynamics, and playing what's best for the song and the situation. Keep the good stuff coming, i've been playing for 42 years and i've incorporated alot of your content into my playing in the last year. Throne height, beater setup, high hat spacing and clutch adjustment, etc., very helpful. Very few drum channels exist where i see something i don't already know, but you're one of them!

@petermoeller5901 Жыл бұрын

Hope you play another 42 year friend!

@jeancorrente95 Жыл бұрын

Thank you Stephen!

@nealp.2841 Жыл бұрын

Glad to see another video. Feel like it's been a while!

@davidj5244 Жыл бұрын

Excellent advice Stephen. Thankyou DaveJ

@bob_gaming3331 Жыл бұрын

Thank you Stephen, pretty good lesson, Yeah, I really enjoyed it.

@melaniehaefner5981 Жыл бұрын

Thank you Stephen. Cool!

@eunaosabiamaseufiz Жыл бұрын

Excellent

@bobbydeluca Жыл бұрын

I think it starts with "not" overthinking the fill. Getting so far ahead of yourself that you miss the opportunity to create an impactful fill. That was a HUGE stumbling block for me. Once I took the overthinking and preparing for something that wasn't even on the horizon yet, out of the equation, it made my fills much more meaningful and impactful. I think as a drummer, staying "in the moment" is critical. Thanks for sharing this, Stephen. Blessing to you on this Easter weekend.

@petermoeller5901 Жыл бұрын

I totally agree, overthinking isn't good. But you have to look ahead a little and "feel the fill come", if you know what I mean.

@MrTwister3356 Жыл бұрын

One word.....Jeff.👌

@401Blues Жыл бұрын

Stephen - This has really jump started my practice. But I do have one request....the audio files linked lesson...would it be possible to loop them. Some of the grooves are a bit tough to feel with just 1 bar. Thanks

@drumsrlife71418 Жыл бұрын

Great ledson, thank you. Quick question. Would you consider changing the dynamics of the cymbal hits as well, leaving big splash towards the end and smaller hits near the beginning? Thank you.

@geoffreysmith4618 Жыл бұрын

Love your channel. May I make a suggestion? In this particular video, we were 17 min into the video before you played the kit. You need to boil down your ideas and talking, then show it. Not trying to criticize, trying to be helpful.

@petarpavasovic6333 Жыл бұрын

I agree

@GoGreen44 Жыл бұрын

I agree too

@rodneyvandenoever Жыл бұрын

Do not agree, this was about when not playing the drums :-)

@BleepBloopVM Жыл бұрын

Yes please, these videos are too long for no good reason, and I would love to be able to afford some time to watch them

@petermoeller5901 Жыл бұрын

I just wrote a similar comment, but I openly criticized. And then the so called exercise is actually not "how to know when to play a fill", it playing a fill after a multiple of 4 bars. I guess even Stephen drops the ball now and again.

@benwilliams253 Жыл бұрын

I am exactly the guy that is stuck depending on drum tabs and counting. I can play loads of songs exactly as the recording with tabs and a few if I count I can as well but it is so hard to play a full song counting all the way through remembering number of measures in each section and I know I am not playing in the pocket while counting. Going to commit to try this on a simple song without looking at any tab or counting. Gotta figure the feeling it out or I’ll never be able to consider myself a real “drummer”. Hope it works🤞🏻

@petermoeller5901 Жыл бұрын

I don't think it's a bad thing to be able to play of a sheet, that's something I personally cannot do. Or I guess I could do it, but it would take me ages to learn a song. If I try to count, I will get out. What I can do is just sit in a band and when the musicians around me start playing a song I don't know, any style, I will be able to play along and often by the 2nd verse or chorus I know where to put fills. I go with Chad Atkins: "I never took a lesson, my chords are kind of guessin'" Do you play in a band or have opportunity to? I think that will teach you things that otherwise are difficult to learn. Next best thing is what Stephen says, play along to record. Or for that matter, play along to the radio, when you don't know what song will be next. Many people will be able to tap their foot along to a song they never heard before. As a drummer you just have more than a foot to 🥁along with.

@benwilliams253 Жыл бұрын

@@petermoeller5901 Thanks for the reply and great advice. Unfortunately no I don’t have a band, to play with. The few times I have played with a guitarist can play along not a cover of a popular song but just jam out. I am going to only focus on Stephen’s 4 way rock coordination lessons and trying to play along to songs until I get it…no more tabs until I do.

@grumpydrummer8960 Жыл бұрын

'Version Confusion' arises . When everyone hears different studio and live recordings and plays those that nobody else can play.😮🎉😊

@petermoeller5901 Жыл бұрын

Well, maybe nobody can play those songs exactly like recorded. But a drummer should be able to pick up the rhythm and feel and play something within your abilities. Start with the time signature and go from there.

@401Blues Жыл бұрын

Stephen.....I hope this video is a prelude/teaser/trailer to another one of your fantastic courses like Total Hand Freedom and Master the HiHats. This topic has always been a roadblock for me.

@steffenpanning2776 Жыл бұрын

And then you listen to "burn" from tpurple :) good rule of thumb though. Most of us are not ian pace anyway

@petermoeller5901 Жыл бұрын

Well fair enough. I guess like everyone Stephen has his personal style and his opinions. There are a lot of drummers that play fast and complex, that doesn't mean they are overplaying.

@artursandwich1974 Жыл бұрын

Behind blue eyes, Going mobile, The real me - yep, the fill-ins reinforce AND fill the spaces. To total beginners on first 3 listenings these songs sound like nothing but fill-ins . But then I guess total beginners wouldn't have to play these songs (which are actually easier than they seem to be, no?).

@andrewhughes102385 Жыл бұрын

Im guilty of overplaying. I played quints in highschool and its hard to make my hands slow down so my ears can hear. 😅

@petermoeller5901 Жыл бұрын

Sure, there is overplaying. But there are certain styles/songs/bands where the drummers play an awful lot of notes and it sounds good and suits the song. (Look for Molly Rose's channel, she seem not happy unless she can play 16th.) Another example coming to mind is worship music. Even in slow songs the drummers often play quite fast and complex on the toms. (Check this out: v=jOiTOqFy4_s - the guy has good hair, too, haha!) Playing a marching band would be good preparation for that, I guess

@petermoeller5901 Жыл бұрын

Actually, I bought a Zildjian K Series Dark Crash 16" today, that what I think Stephen uses. I annoyed people in the local shop for 45 minutes trying various crashes. Unfortunately he gives theoretical examples for about the first 85% of the video. He promises something practical, but never practically demonstrates "how to know when to play a fill". The so-called exercise is to play a fill after a multiples of 4 bars. And fair enough, that's a pattern you see in songs, but that doesn't need a 21 minute video. Yes, some good ideas and important concepts to learn here, but this is not a written article, it's a video where we have the opportunity to *show* the ideas and concepts. But no, it's bla bla bla and more bla bla bla. Fair enough, Stephen is a likably guy, but this episode was not his finest. First time I give one of Stephen's video a thumbs down... actually 2nd time. The other thumbs down I gave the video where he says "electronic drums vs real drums", rather than "acoustic vs electric".