What's a fill? [Archive] - RonFez.net Messageboard

torker

05-17-2006, 12:23 PM

What is a drum fill?  Is it a good thing? A bad thing?  Over-used?  Examples, please.  If you get technical, you'll lose me.

SatCam

05-17-2006, 12:26 PM

A drum Phil:

http://www.drummerworld.com/pics/drum/drummerpictures7/phil%20Collins1.jpg

FezPaul

05-17-2006, 12:29 PM

Its just a drummer adding a drum roll or whatever in the middle of a song to break up the monotony of the steady bit. Like a guitar player throwing in a few notes between vocals, it just adds a little flavor and texture to a song.It can be over-done, music that is all fills is called jazz.

JustJon

05-17-2006, 12:46 PM

cut open your drum.  fill with wet concrete.  wait for it to dry.

fezident

05-17-2006, 01:02 PM

A drum fill is very often the drummers way of signaling the next section of the song.  That's not a "textbook" definition but, it seems to be the practice.Songwriting 101 would probably suggest a drum fill  before the chorus and again before the solo section etc etc.A lot of drummers overdo it.  They add fills every 4 measures because they feel it gives the song more energy or...they just feel that the song itself is calling for a fill.  Kinda like the way a singer would add a little adlib vocal phrase like "ooh yeah".  It's just injecting some more personality to the tune.  Personally, I have an allergic reaction to drummers who overplay.  I play bass in a very steady solid style so, that's what I prefer from any drummer I work with.I think Moe is a professional drummer.  He'll probably tell you that he started out trying to master some intricate fills but he also puts some thought into NOT playing them every chance he gets. "One Headlight" by The Wallflowers is an amazing example how good it can feel if a drummer doesn't over play.

J.Clints

05-17-2006, 01:08 PM

JustJon wrote: cut open your drum.  fill with wet concrete.  wait for it to dry. You enjoy being a smart ass dont you.<img src="http://www.ronfez.net/messageboard/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/cool.gif" border="0" />

FUNKMAN

05-17-2006, 02:31 PM

fezident wrote:"One Headlight" by The Wallflowers is an amazing example how good it can feel if a drummer doesn't over play. I also love the steady simplicity of the bottom in Heroes. I fell in love with the Bowie tune back when but actually enjoy the Wallflower's version much more...

Death Metal Moe

05-17-2006, 06:18 PM

fezident wrote: A drum fill is very often the drummers way of signaling the next section of the song.  That's not a "textbook" definition but, it seems to be the practice.Songwriting 101 would probably suggest a drum fill  before the chorus and again before the solo section etc etc.A lot of drummers overdo it.  They add fills every 4 measures because they feel it gives the song more energy or...they just feel that the song itself is calling for a fill.  Kinda like the way a singer would add a little adlib vocal phrase like "ooh yeah".  It's just injecting some more personality to the tune.  Personally, I have an allergic reaction to drummers who overplay.  I play bass in a very steady solid style so, that's what I prefer from any drummer I work with.I think Moe is a professional drummer.  He'll probably tell you that he started out trying to master some intricate fills but he also puts some thought into NOT playing them every chance he gets. "One Headlight" by The Wallflowers is an amazing example how good it can feel if a drummer doesn't over play.  HA!  You flatter me sir!  I'm by NO means "professional" but I might get away with "working" or "Intermediate" one of these days.The most important and hardest lesson I learned and am still learning on the drums is NOT to over do it.  Seriously.I started out wanting to shine, look amazing and impress my band and everyone who watched me.  But you know what?  It ends up sounding RETARDED, confusing the crowd and sometimes confusing your own band.  Miss a huge roll by half a beat or end it one stroke too early and you throw off the whole feeling of the song.  And for what?  To make yourself look amazing?  You MUST PLAY WITH THE BAND.  I can't stress that enough.  When the drums and bass are in LOCK STEP, you are TIGHT no matter WHAT is happening.  Shitty sound that night?  No problem, you'll sound better than everyone else because there's a solid rhythm section.  Let the guitars go crazy, they have a solid structure to build on.I bring this up every drum thread but the AC/DC drummer is one of the best drummers on tape and he hardly every does fills.  He is just there, but without him it would suck.So drummers, stop trying to overshadow the band and learn your place.  Throw your rolls and other impressive stuff in when you can but make sure you're making THE BAND look good, not yourself.And as far as looking "amazing," you will look like a much better drummer when you play with the band and you ALL look good.  I've seen plenty of Metal bands that have an amazing drummer but weren't memorable in the least so I remember him and not the band, and then I forget him because who gives a fuck just about a drummer?  What's more likely?  You'll remember "A great band and MAN did the drummer back them up!" or "The drummer impressed me in parts but the whole thing sounded muddled and I won't go see them again."?

A.J.

05-18-2006, 05:48 AM

What's a fil?It's the coinage of the UAE.<img height="301" src="http://www.diggafromdover.com/pix/uae1d.jpg" width="332" border="0" />

torker

05-18-2006, 12:35 PM

"One Headlight" by The Wallflowers is an amazing example how good it can feel if a drummer doesn't over play.  Thanks.  I caught the song on the radio on my way to work this morning.

Death Metal Moe

05-18-2006, 01:37 PM

<img height="220" src="http://www-utenti.dsc.unibo.it/~calafior/ig/img/galleria/Phil.jpg" width="175" border="0" />Here's Uncle Fill.

torker

05-18-2006, 02:07 PM

IrishAlkey

05-18-2006, 02:09 PM

torker wrote: <img height="221" src="http://www.gonemovies.com/WWW/Drama/Drama/GroundNed3.jpg" width="361" border="0" />Genius.

Bulldogcakes

05-18-2006, 03:16 PM

El Mudo

05-18-2006, 04:04 PM

Jesus saves.....

http://www.1972summitseries.com/photos/esposito_and_tretiak.jpg

Espo puts in the rebound...

Hottub

06-02-2006, 07:43 PM

One of my favorites. Take a look at the sun, just before you die. It's the last time you will!Not signaling a change. Not too many notes. It fits in just right.

Bednarczyk62

06-02-2006, 07:49 PM

Gogol Bordello - "Start Wearing Purple"

tele7

06-02-2006, 08:56 PM

FUNKMAN wrote:  fezident wrote:  "One Headlight" by The Wallflowers is an amazing example how good it can feel if a drummer doesn't over play.   I also love the steady simplicity of the bottom in Heroes. I fell in love with the Bowie tune back when but actually enjoy the Wallflower's version much more...Every Breath You Take by the Police.  I love the sound of Stewarts Snare drum.

jeffdwright2001

06-02-2006, 09:47 PM

torker wrote: <img height="221" src="http://www.gonemovies.com/WWW/Drama/Drama/GroundNed3.jpg" width="361" border="0" />Genius.<img height="100" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v381/artemisentreri/alkey.gif" width="300" border="0" />

ChimneyFish

06-03-2006, 12:31 PM

Jean Paul Gaster from Clutch.Perfect example of a drummer who doesn't overplay it.

PanterA

06-03-2006, 12:37 PM

When Animal opens his eyes and goes off....thats a drum fill:<img height="93" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/YulanaKemindy/thanimal.gif" width="120" border="0" />