How to Play a Half-Measure Drum Fill Using the Snare and Floor Tom

Musicians often choose to fill breaks in the music with drum fills. Utilize the snare and floor tom to fill a half-measure of music. In 4/4 time the half-measure drum fill lasts for 2 beats in the drum measure.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Look at the time signature for the music. The time signature tells you how many beats there are per measure. Divide that number in half to determine how many beats you have for the drum fill.

2. Start on the snare drum by playing 2 8th notes. The 2 8th notes equal 1 quarter note. Add rim shots to emphasize different parts of the drum fill.

3. Move to the tom drum and play 2 more 8th notes.

4. Speed up the half-measure drum fill for a faster-paced song. Double the number of notes and play 16th notes on the snare and tom drums.

5. Utilize faster stick movement and play 8 32nd notes on each drum.

6. Change up the different types of notes in the combination of the drums. This creates various half-measure drum fills using your floor tom and snare drum.

Tips & Warnings

• Substitute crash cymbals for any beat in the drum fill to add punctuation to the fill.