How to Play a Half-Measure Drum Fill Using Quicker Snare Hits

A half-measure drum fill is a drum solo that is half a measure long in order to fill in a break in a song. Drum fills can be performed in various ways and each drummer has her own style of performing her fills. This drum fill utilizes faster hits on the snare drum. Alter this fill to play it on the toms or cymbals.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Check the music to learn the timing of the song. The timing tells you how long to make the fill. Most songs are written in 4/4 time. This means the song has 4 beats per measure. A half-measure fill in 4/4 time is equal to 2 beats so the drum fill is 2 beats long.

2. Play 8 16th notes or 16th note triplets on the snare drum. Eight 16th notes equals 2 quarter notes or 2 beats in the same measure. Although 16th notes are the slowest of the quicker beats, they are easier to manage.

3. Double the speed of the 16th notes. Play 16 of the 32nd notes or 32nd note triplets. The 32nd notes are fast-paced and more exciting than 16th notes.

4. Play 32 of the 64th notes. These notes are the most difficult because they require extremely fast stick movements.

5. Combine variations of the different notes to use in the snare drum fill. For example, play 4 16th notes and 8 32nd notes. Each drummer likes certain types of fills. Some like to play the same type of note through the entire drum fill, while others prefer to change it up and add different combinations.

Tips & Warnings

• Some drummers add a crash cymbal hit at the end of the fill for flare.