drum fill
Brief percussive flourish
A drum fill is a brief, often improvised passage where a drummer breaks from the basic beat to play a more elaborate pattern, typically to mark transitions between sections of a song: The drummer launched into a thundering fill before the chorus.
Fills add energy and signal changes, ranging from simple snare rolls to complex patterns across the full kit.
Device for catching prey
- tom-tomSmall cylindrical drum
- hi-hatPedal-controlled cymbal pair
- cymbalStruck metal percussion disc
- crashSudden violent impact
ride · kick · splash · china · timbale · cowbell · woodblock
Rhythmic pulse or strike
- grooveNarrow cut or routine
- tempoRate of musical performance
- syncopationStressed unexpected beats
- polyrhythmOverlapping musical beat patterns
subdivision · pulse · timing · swing · shuffle · backbeat · meter · phrase
Deception or drumbeat
- paradiddleDrum sticking pattern
- rollList of names
- rudimentBasic element of knowledge
- tripletSet of three
accent · drag · diddle · buzz · rimshot · cross-stick · linear
Gradual increase in loudness
- transitionChange from one state
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
- intensifyIncrease in degree
- swellIncrease in size
surge · peak · momentum · anticipation · escalate · tension · lead-in · setup
Showy, often tastelessly so
- restrainedHeld under control
- melodicMusically pleasing to hear
- syncopatedRhythmically accent-shifted
- linearArranged in straight succession
busy · sparse · tasteful · pocket · bombastic · orchestral · jazzy · funky
snare
Device for catching prey
crash · ride · kick · splash · china · timbale · cowbell · woodblock
beat
Rhythmic pulse or strike
- grooveNarrow cut or routine
- tempoRate of musical performance
- syncopationStressed unexpected beats
polyrhythm · subdivision · pulse · timing · swing · shuffle · backbeat · meter · phrase · four-on-the-floor
flam
Deception or drumbeat
- paradiddleDrum sticking pattern
- rollList of names
- rudimentBasic element of knowledge
triplet · accent · drag · diddle · buzz · rimshot · cross-stick · linear
crescendo
Gradual increase in loudness
- transitionChange from one state
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
- intensifyIncrease in degree
swell · surge · peak · momentum · anticipation · escalate · tension · lead-in · setup · bridge
flashy
Showy, often tastelessly so
- restrainedHeld under control
- melodicMusically pleasing to hear
- syncopatedRhythmically accent-shifted
linear · busy · sparse · tasteful · pocket · bombastic · orchestral · jazzy · funky · progressive
- drummingdrumroll, beat, drumsticks, flam, paradiddle
- rock musicrock band, electric guitar, guitar solo, guitar riff, guitar riffs
- rhythmsbeat, rhythm, syncopation, offbeat, cadence
- music productioncomposing, autotune, synthesizer, producing, arranging
- song partsverse, intro, chorus, verse-chorus, outro
drum fillsteady beat
Consistent rhythmic pulse
backbeat · timekeeping · pocket · four-on-the-floor · groove
drum fillrest
Cessation of activity
silence · laying back · ghost notes · space · breathing room
drum, fill, drums, drummed, drumming, drummer, drummers, fills, filled