In this lesson you will be expanding on the Four Bar Fill Placement ideas presented in level 1 by creating a simple variation on the 'A A A B' pattern used extensively in phrasing lessons. To create this new structure all you will be doing is switching around the last two bars, so the fill or variation now comes in bar 3. This is a little odd but there are a few reasons to give it a go. First of all, because it is an odd placement it will create a more interesting pattern that the listener would generally expect. It could also be the case that the music you are writing a drum part to suits this pattern. If there is a gap in the vocal or melodic part only in the third bar this will be the best way to add some spice to your groove without treading on anyones toes.
The structure for this idea looks like this:
In this structural idea the 'B' section can be a little more vague. It doesn't have to be a full fill using rolls around the kit and loads of crashes, it could be some kind of variation on the groove where an open hi hat is added or some extra 16th note is included. In the examples below I have used a variety of different construction ideas to show how many different options are available within this pattern. But as always, try to create your own parts based on what has been given.
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Example 4
Example 5
TASK
- Using the 2 minute rule, get all phrases up to a tempo of at least 130bpm.
- Create your own versions of these patterns based on the original phrase.