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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Improvising -coming up with fills

1 reply [Last post]
Fri, 09/05/2025 - 05:10
Peter757
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Level 3
Joined: 12/29/2009

David, I am spending time in Improvising Study I. The chorus forms concept I totally understand and now it's just a matter of spending time in the material. Where I struggle terribly is coming up with fills. Is there some magic sauce in coming up with fills that sound good, or is it just a matter of trial and error until I grab something I like?

Thanks in advance.

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Sat, 09/06/2025 - 06:35
#1
David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello Peter, you are correct,

Hello Peter, you are correct, it's a matter of trial and error until I grab something you like. Generally speaking, fills are short (though if your A is two bars or less, you can fit in a two bar fill). So, looking for licks that are short (less than two bars) will be helpful. Also keep in mind that you can take apart larger licks into smaller pieces. In the end, it's all about experimentation.

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