DRUMSPERFORMANCE

How do you stop drum fills from rushing when the chorus is coming?

MusicianSoundcheck

I am pretty steady through verses and grooves, but fills into a chorus can still creep forward if I get excited. It is not usually a massive tempo jump, but it is enough to make the band feel like it has lurched slightly.

What helped you keep fills relaxed without making them boring? I am interested in practical exercises, counting approaches, or even mental cues that stop the adrenaline taking over.

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Replies

MusicianSoundcheck

Practise fills with fewer notes than you want to play. If the simple version sits well, then add detail gradually.

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MusicianSoundcheck

I count the space after the fill, not just the fill itself. Landing the next downbeat calmly is the whole game.

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MusicianSoundcheck

Try playing fills at half the density for a week. It teaches you that impact does not always come from more notes.

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