Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
New to improv/fills
- Thread starter Herbal_T
- Start date
easy! play around with chord tones rhythmically with being tight and locked in with the drums while using notes not in the chords not on the beat to use to pass between the chord tones while playing through the changes of the chords
For short fills maybe listen to how drum fills are phrased. Most fills will occur at the end of a phrase or passage where there's either a turnaround or the song hangs on a chord for a few beats/bars. If it is hanging on one chord maybe emulate how a drum fill works rhythmically and use chord tones/scales to experiment. A lot of fills won't occupy a long space and may even be only around two beats long.
It need not be long or complex, the most tasteful fills serve to add a bit of dynamic breathing space or lift at certain points in a song.
I'm not familiar with the song but knowing that style I'd say that you can't go wrong with the pentatonic scale or even the chord tones for a dominant7(I'm assuming it's in major key and the dom7 is quite common for blues or R&B, so apologies if I'm wrong in this case) maybe including the 9 as well. P.s you don't always have to start a fill on the root. I hope this helps
It need not be long or complex, the most tasteful fills serve to add a bit of dynamic breathing space or lift at certain points in a song.
I'm not familiar with the song but knowing that style I'd say that you can't go wrong with the pentatonic scale or even the chord tones for a dominant7(I'm assuming it's in major key and the dom7 is quite common for blues or R&B, so apologies if I'm wrong in this case) maybe including the 9 as well. P.s you don't always have to start a fill on the root. I hope this helps
If you are using chord tones, i.e. R-3-5-3 or whatever, instead of going up scale all the time try a down scale --
8-7-6-5 of the chord scale.
R-3-5-7-8-7-6-5 whatever. Try coming back down see if adds what you like.
8-7-6-5 of the chord scale.
R-3-5-7-8-7-6-5 whatever. Try coming back down see if adds what you like.
1st, how could you guys not know the Big Payback by JB? Anyhow, a good place to start is the use of octaves and minor 7th (Note a whole step 'under' your root) and minor 3rd.
Remember what James say "Make it funky"
Remember what James say "Make it funky"
What chord(s) are being played where you will fill? What is the melody just before the fill? What have you tried so far? How does it sound going from song to fill, to song?
I don't know karate, but I know ka-razy!
No bass fills, but the lead guitar is all fills with wah pedal.
Actually this is one of the most difficult task we have to face especially in a groove tune.
Too many times MUSICIANS don't hear the fills they are playing, the fingers are doing it, the eyes are doing it but rarely the ear is doing it !
I suggest that when you practice your fills, stop playing at the end of the pattern and sing something. It could be a rythm, a slide, a melodic fill or a variation of the groove. Then try to figure out what you just sang and play it the next time. After a few times you will feel more confident about it.
It takes a lot of practice to be able to improvise great fills in time and tastefully.
START SIMPLE. THESE ARE THE MOST EFFICIENT ONES.
Too many times MUSICIANS don't hear the fills they are playing, the fingers are doing it, the eyes are doing it but rarely the ear is doing it !
I suggest that when you practice your fills, stop playing at the end of the pattern and sing something. It could be a rythm, a slide, a melodic fill or a variation of the groove. Then try to figure out what you just sang and play it the next time. After a few times you will feel more confident about it.
It takes a lot of practice to be able to improvise great fills in time and tastefully.
START SIMPLE. THESE ARE THE MOST EFFICIENT ONES.
OK, you've had me curious so I've downloaded the youtube cut. Firstly - cool! Secondly (to answer your question above) - it's not a genre of music I would listen to for too long, so that explains it...
I can actually picture where short runs could replace some of the current triad-sets to make it more interesting / funky!
