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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Fills

2 replies [Last post]
Wed, 01/16/2019 - 09:19
JCWUSMC
JCWUSMC's picture
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Level 4
Joined: 03/26/2017

Hi DAVID. 

I am having trouble in the improve section coming up with fills. 

is there a place in the lessons that can help me to come up with fills.

my brain is not able to direct my harmonica on where to go or the notes that I need to play.

I have the chorus forms down and just can’t seem to burp out the folks for the AAA WITH FILLS or the AAB WITH FILLs.

So a library of fill kicks or posible fill licks would be helpful I think

i researched the future improves and found 541 and titnaround and ending possible licks 

please assist  

 

 

 

 

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Wed, 01/16/2019 - 11:34
#1
David Barrett
David Barrett's picture
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello JCWUSMC. There is no

Hello JCWUSMC. There is no listing of fills, but this is not an oversight on my part... this is your first exposure to improvisation where I'm not holding your hand. This is for you to experiment and figure out on your own, based on the licks you're using to surround the fills. Here are some tips...

1) Focus on draw notes (the draw notes match the I chord, which is where fills are located)

2) Try cool sounds such as shakes and flutters (sometimes just a cool sound can be a great fill)

3) Look through the study songs you've already completed for very small licks that you could fit in (two to five note licks will be best). Also try to take longer licks and take fragments from them to make them work in the smaller space of a fill.

I know this is challenging, but the experimentation you do to make this first step of improvising is part of your baby step process into becoming an improviser.

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Wed, 01/16/2019 - 12:18
#2
JCWUSMC
JCWUSMC's picture
Offline
Level 4
Joined: 03/26/2017
Thanks Dave 

Thanks Dave 

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