How to Play a Half-Measure Drum Fill Using the Snare and Crash Cymbal

A drum fill is a short section between melodies or sections of a song. Fills are inputted to keep the listener's attention during the brief break. A drum fill on a snare and crash cymbal is a simple fill easily modified to add finesse.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Keep the beat with the bass drum. The bass drum holds the tempo through the fill. Most songs are written in 4/4 time which means 4 beats per measure. Normally bass drums play half notes on the first and third beats.

2. Play quarter triplets on the snare with the crash cymbal at the same time or at the end of the fill. Quarter triplets are slower notes that may be played with 1 hand. This makes it easy to throw in a crash cymbal.

3. Make an 8th note fill. This is good for the snare or cymbals. Eighth notes are faster than triplets but are slow enough to play with 1 hand.

4. Practice an 8th note triplet fill. Three 8th note triplets are played in the same time as 2 8th notes. Add a crash at the end of the triplet for emphasis.

5. Try using a 16th note. These are faster than 8th notes. A 16th note fill always ends with a crash cymbal.

6. Add excitement with a 16th note triplet fill. This type of fill is fast and keeps the listener's attention during fast songs. Perform the 16th note triplet on the snare or crash drum. Another option is to play it on the snare and end with the crash.

7. Combine different types of notes to create the perfect fill.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember the time restraints on the fill. Make the fill fit the style of the song.