6 Essential Drum Fill Ins Every Beginner Drummer Should Know

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 7 min read

When you're just starting out on your journey as a drummer, getting to grips with drum fill ins can feel like a challenging task. But don't worry, with a bit of practice and the right guidance, you'll be creating impressive rhythmic breaks in no time. This blog will guide you through 6 essential drum fill ins that every beginner drummer should know. Let's dive in!

1. Basic Beat Fill Ins

Now, let's start with the basics of drum fill ins — the basic beat. This is where your journey to mastering drum fill ins begins. It's the foundation on which all other fill ins will be built, so let's get it right.

Understanding the Basic Beat

A basic beat on the drum usually consists of a steady rhythm that sets the tempo for the music. It's the backbone of any song and the drummer's main responsibility. To master the basic beat fill ins, you need to first understand the structure and rhythm of a basic beat. Here's a simple breakdown:

Count in 4/4 time: This means that there are 4 beats in a measure and the quarter note gets the beat. It's the most common time signature in popular music.
Play the Hi-Hat: On each count, hit the hi-hat cymbal with your drumstick.
Add the Snare: On the second and fourth counts, hit the snare drum while continuing to play the hi-hat.
Add the Bass Drum: On the first and third counts, press the bass drum pedal while continuing to play the hi-hat and the snare.

Practice with a Metronome

Now that you understand the basic beat, it's time to put it into practice. And what better way to keep your timing in check than using a metronome? Practicing with a metronome helps you develop a solid sense of timing and rhythm, which are crucial to playing effective drum fill ins. Start at a slow tempo and gradually increase the speed as you become more comfortable.

Experiment with Different Drum Kits

Finally, remember that different drum kits can produce different sounds and tones. Experimenting with different drum kits can help you discover your unique sound and style. It can also help you adapt to playing different genres of music. Whether you're playing on an acoustic drum kit, an electronic drum kit, or even a bucket drum set, mastering the basic beat fill ins is the first step towards becoming a versatile drummer.

2. Triplet Fill Ins

Once you're comfortable with basic beat drum fill ins, it's time to add some variety to your playing. Enter: triplet fill ins. Triplets are a unique rhythm that can add a new level of depth and complexity to your drumming. Let's explore how you can incorporate them into your repertoire.

Learn the Triplet Rhythm

The first step in mastering triplet fill ins is understanding the triplet rhythm. In music, a triplet is a group of three notes played in the time typically taken by two. It sounds complex, but it's easier than you think. You just need to divide each beat into three equal parts. So, instead of counting "1, 2, 3, 4," you count "1 & a, 2 & a, 3 & a, 4 & a." With practice, you'll start feeling the triplet rhythm naturally.

Apply Triplets to Different Drums

Now that you've grasped the triplet rhythm, it's time to apply it to your drumming. Start by playing triplets on a single drum, like the snare. Once you feel comfortable, try moving your sticks around to different drums and cymbals while maintaining the triplet rhythm. This can create a more dynamic and interesting drum fill in.

Incorporate Cymbals

Finally, don't forget about the cymbals! Incorporating cymbals into your triplet fill ins can add an extra layer of texture and excitement. Try hitting a crash cymbal at the start or end of your triplet fill in for a dramatic effect. Or use the ride cymbal to add a shimmering sound to your fill ins. As always, the key is to experiment and find what sounds best to you.

3. Sixteenth Note Fill Ins

With triplet fill ins under your belt, you're ready to tackle sixteenth note fill ins. These fill ins are fast and furious, adding energy and excitement to your drumming. So, let's dive in and explore how you can master this unique rhythm.

Master the Sixteenth Note Rhythm

The first step to mastering sixteenth note drum fill ins is to understand the rhythm. A sixteenth note is one quarter of a beat, meaning four sixteenth notes fit into one beat. Try counting "1 e & a, 2 e & a, 3 e & a, 4 e & a" to help internalize this rhythm. It may seem fast at first, but with practice, you'll be able to keep up.

Practice Sixteenth Note Fill Ins

Now that you know the rhythm, it's time to practice. Start by playing sixteenth notes on a single drum, such as the snare. Once you're comfortable, switch it up. Move your sticks around to different drums and cymbals. This can add a layer of complexity and musicality to your drum fill ins.

Incorporate into Beat

Finally, start incorporating sixteenth note fill ins into your overall beat. This can be challenging, as it requires you to seamlessly transition from your regular beat into a rapid-fire series of notes. But don't worry—over time, it will become second nature. Just take it slow, practice regularly, and before you know it, you'll be playing sixteenth note fill ins like a pro.

4. Linear Fill Ins

Having mastered the sixteenth note fill ins, you're now ready to dip your drumsticks into the world of linear fill ins. This style of drum fill ins is a bit different, as it involves striking only one drum at a time. But fear not, the linear fill ins can add a unique flavor to your rhythm and make your drumming sound more professional.

Grasp Linear Drumming Concept

Linear drumming is a concept where no two drums are hit at the same time. Sounds simple, right? But it can be a bit tricky. You'll need to practice coordinating your hands and feet to ensure you're only striking one drum at a time. A great way to start is by practicing a simple rhythm pattern like: kick-snare-kick-snare. This will help you get a feel for linear drumming.

Practice Linear Fill Ins

Now, it's time to apply the linear concept to your drum fill ins. Start by practicing on a single drum, then gradually add more drums into the mix. Remember, the key to linear drum fill ins is to maintain a steady rhythm while hitting only one drum at a time. It might take some time to get the hang of it, but once you do, your drumming will never be the same.

Mix with Other Fill In Styles

Linear fill ins can be mixed with other fill in styles to create interesting rhythms. Experiment with combining linear fill ins with the triplet, sixteenth note, flam, or paradiddle fill ins you've learned. This will not only make your drumming more diverse and dynamic, but also help you better understand how different fill ins can work together to create unique soundscapes.

5. Flam Fill Ins

Are you ready to add a bit of flair to your drumming? Flam fill ins might be just what you need! Flam is a foundational drumstroke that involves hitting one drum with both sticks almost simultaneously. This gives a unique, thick sound that can really spice up your drumming.

Understand the Flam Stroke

Before diving into flam fill ins, it's important to understand the flam stroke. It involves a softer "grace note" followed by a louder primary note, played on the same drum. It might sound something like this: "fla-FLAM". The timing between the two strokes is crucial. They should be close enough to sound like a single, thick stroke, but not so close that they can't be distinguished. Try practicing this stroke on a snare drum until you get the feel of it.

Apply Flam Fill Ins

Once you've mastered the flam stroke, it's time to apply it to your drum fill ins. Flam fill ins can be used to add depth and intensity to your drumming. Try incorporating flam fill ins into your rhythms, playing them on different drums for variety. You might start with a simple pattern like: flam on snare, kick, flam on tom, kick. As always, practice is key.

Try Flam Variations

Looking to take your flam fill ins to the next level? Try experimenting with flam variations! There are many different ways to play a flam, such as flam taps, flam accents, and flam paradiddles. Each variation has its own unique sound and can add a different twist to your drum fill ins. So go ahead, get creative and see what you can come up with!

6. Paradiddle Fill Ins

Finally, let's talk about paradiddle fill ins. Paradiddle is a drumming pattern that's a little more complex, but adds a rhythmic dynamism to your drumming that's hard to beat. It's a combination of single and double strokes that creates a unique rhythm, perfect for breaking up the monotony in your drumming.

Learn the Paradiddle Pattern

First things first, you need to get a grip on the paradiddle pattern. The basic paradiddle pattern is simple: Right, Left, Right, Right; then reverse it: Left, Right, Left, Left. Sounds straightforward, right? But when you start to speed up, you'll see the magic of this pattern. It can create a rolling rhythm that's unlike any other. So, get comfortable with the pattern before moving onto the next step.

Practice Paradiddle Fill Ins

Once you've got the paradiddle pattern down, it's time to incorporate it into your drum fill ins. Start slow and increase your speed gradually. Remember, the beauty of paradiddles lies in their rhythm, so make sure you're keeping time accurately. You could start with a basic beat, then throw in a paradiddle fill on the snare and toms.

Combine with Other Fill Ins

Ready to take your paradiddle drum fill ins to the next level? Try combining them with other types of fill ins you've learned. Maybe mix in a flam or a triplet with your paradiddle. This will not only give your drumming a unique flavor but also help you become a more versatile drummer. Just like a chef mixing ingredients to create a unique dish, you can mix and match different fill ins to create your own unique drumming style.

If you enjoyed learning about essential drum fill ins for beginner drummers, we have another fantastic workshop to recommend for musicians and creatives alike. Check out 'Using Drawing as a Tool for Writers Block' by Debbie Knox-Hewson. This workshop will teach you how to use drawing as a creative outlet to overcome writer's block and inspire new ideas for your music.