Using Crash Accents In Grooves

In this lesson on using crashes in fills we are going to focus on adding them into a groove part to create a subtle but effective fill. To do this you are just going to add a crash to whatever groove you are playing whenever you hit the snare. This will accent those beats a bit heavier and is a pretty simple way to create some variation in a part where you don't want an over the top fill. I've listed some examples below, but try applying it to any grooves you can think of.


Example 1

A fill with crashes on the snares


Example 2

A fill with crashes on the snares


Example 3

A fill with crashes on the snares


Example 4

A fill with crashes on the snares


Example 5

A fill with crashes on the snares


Notice that in examples 2 and 4 I have moved the crash over the the right hand side notation? This is because your right hand is playing something over on the right and kit and this crash is nearer than the left side one, playing the part this way means less jumping around the kit.

TASK

  1. Using the 2 minute rule, get all five examples up to a tempo of at least 120bpm.
  2. Add each example into one of the structures we have covered previously.
  3. Create your own fill pattern using this concept.

As with all our concepts we can use the previous idea as a base to create countless variations using this idea. Before reading my suggestions have a think about what you could do with the original pattern to create further fills.


Below is a list of suggestions on ways you can create new fills from this concept. You will note I haven't given any written examples here, it will be more beneficial at this point for you to attempt to make your own new parts yourself.

  • Keep the original concept but only play 1 crash and snare in the bar.
  • Switch the pattern round, so play crashes on all the kicks instead of snares.
  • If the snares used in the groove are quarter notes, switch them to two eight notes in a row, both with crashes.
  • Combine this concept with our Groove Based Fills concept.
  • Add a short 16th note fill at the end of the bar.

TASK

  1. Create as many fills as possible using both the list of ideas above a long with your own.
  2. Add each new fill into one of the structures we have covered previously.
  3. Write down your new fills on Manuscript Paper.

Of course, you don't have to restrict yourself to using these patterns solely as fills. They can make quite nice groove patterns too.

Lessons

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