In this 7/8 fill construction lesson you will be adjusting some fill examples in the time signature of 6/8 to fit in a bar of 7/8. This will involve adding an addition eighth note at the end of the bar so is a really simple idea. Once you are familiar with how the process works you will then hopefully be able to apply any fill in 6/8 to this new time signature. There really isn't any more to this concept, just take a 6/8 fill and add an eighth note. The trick is to remember you're in 7/8 and not just play the full 6/8 fill! Using a metronome or backing track will really help with that.
Listed below are several ideas using this really simply concept. For each example I have linked to the existing fill with a note as to where it can be found on the page. There is a similar lesson editing 6/8 fills To Fit 5/8 that you may also find useful. I have actually used the same original 6/8 fills in all examples below as in the 5/8 lesson.
Example 1
Original fill: Example 4.
Example 2
Original fill: Example 2.
Example 3
Original fill: Example 1.
Example 4
Original fill: Example 8.
Example 5
Original fill: Example 6.
Example 6
Original fill: Example 4.
Example 7
Original fill: Example 5.
Example 8
Original fill: Example 10.
Example 9
Original fill: Example 8.
Example 10
Original fill: Example 6.
TASK
- Using the 2 minute rule, get all exercises upto a tempo of at least 120bpm.
- Play a four bar phrase in 7/8 where the fourth contains a fill. Repeat this phrase over.
- Pick out some more 6/8 fills you like the sound of and cut them short.
