Fills in Lesson 3, Section 2 (Grooving and Improving)

Hi Robert,

I’m practicing with the beat in Section 2 with the backing tracks provided in Lesson 3. With the lessons before, it was kind of easy to expect where the fills were coming in just by listening. With this one, it’s a little hard to tell and it kind of throws me off when it does come in, because sort of comes in at an unexpected part.

I tried to count each bar - I think usually fills come in after 8 or 16 bars, but it wasn’t the case with this track.

I have no problem playing the beat on time, just wanted to provide a feedback.

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Ah thanks for the feedback, I will take this with me when I re-record the lessons with a better camera (content will not change, so no worries you’re not learning anything different at the moment).

What I would tell you now is this: Just throw in that fill when it suits you. The backing track will only place one at the very end of each full loop, but you can do it more often and that will be completely fine and good practice.

Good luck and let me know if there are more things you run in to!

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I was about to post basically the same thing, but the suggested topics showed me this so thought I’d just add to this. I tried Bass + Clicks as well as Bass + Guitar + Clicks. The first fill from the clicks is at about 47seconds and I just can’t pick it coming. I know if’'s generallly the drummer that is keeping time, but the bass is usually a very good 2nd (or sometimes 1st indicator) of the beat. I don’t think the bass pattern changes whereas I think you’d normally expect some sort of fill or turnaround to go with the drum fill.

The change in the sound used for the “clicks” is also quite distracting - possibly intended, but started to get frustrating. I feel that would have been better placed as a “challenge” option.

I played through lessons 1 and 2 over a few days and started today with lesson 2. I think I’m going ok with the main bit, but I’m not consistent with hitting the fill well at the fast tempo. This might be contributing to the frustration in this lesson. Not sure how long to stay on metronome only backing tracks - I know they help with timing, but I feel much more connected when there are other instruments.

Any suggestions please @Robert_Mathijs? Before signing up this past week, I had a go at the free parts of the 6 Famous Breakbeats and had already tried Section 1 of Grooving & Improving.

I’ve had a long session today and think I’ll finish with playing along to the start of School Boy Crush so I don’t end the session frustrated.

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Hey, my advice for Grooving & Improving would be to skip to lesson 5 real quick and pick one of the full tracks with just a metronome or even one completely without.

You can then also pick the slower tempo versions if it’s too hard to place the fill at a fast tempo.
https://questforgroove.com/course/grooving-improving/section-2/section-2-lesson-5/

Also, just play the fill more often. When you feel it needs to be there. When you’re just playing with a metronome click or completely you have the power to place fills wherever you want.

Frustration is part of learning. It means you care about getting better. I think for something like the Grooving & Improving course it’s fine to go to the next song if you’re just not vibing with one “section”. If you at least tried and managed to play the basic beat of every section you got the most important info.

Also good you end with playing something fun! That will be important throughout your time here!

Let me know if the other tracks from lesson 5 I recommended work better for you.

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Thanks for the perspective check, not sure anyone has put it like that before. I definitely care as music is becoming a bigger part of my life.

Thanks for the extras tips, I’ll have a go at lesson 5 tomorrow :sunglasses:

Alright, don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re frustrated. I have more tools in my toolbox to help you move forward :slight_smile:

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I pushed through Rob and got time as it was the weekend to record me playing to the backing track (Bass, Guitar, Lead without metronome). I managed to get the fill in a few times and keep time which I was pretty happy about. I’ve updated my diary :grinning:

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Great to read this. If you manage to keep going the way you’ve been going until Christmas you’ll realise how much you’ve learned by then, I promise you that.

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I hope so. Planning on practicing 4-5 times a week min and more if possible :grinning:

Cool, but not for too long to prevent injury!

Too long at a time I mean. Keep your sessions under an hour ideally.

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Thanks, I know when playing guitar, it’s recommended to warm up with something like playing through scales. Is there something equivalent for finger drumming that you’ve found useful?

I personally don’t really warm up but I do start out by playing something easy, not too fast. Just groove for 5 minutes in a relaxed way without cramping up. And then move on practicing whatever, pushing the limits.

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