OBLIVEON · DRUM FILLS

The drum fills in From This Day Forward

33 fills to learn, played 64 times across 203 bars. Two fills that share a rhythm and differ only in how they are spread round the toms are one fill here, learned once and orchestrated twice.

TEMPO
180 BPM
TIME
4/4
BARS
203
LENGTH
4:31
DIFFICULTY
70/100

Bar 2, and 1 more time

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BARS 2 AND 10 · LANDS ON BAR 3

On crash, ride, mid tom, floor tom and kick. 55 out of 100 -- a step up -- and what decides that is the independence between the hands and the feet. In the song it lands on bar 3. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 4, and 3 more times

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BARS 4, 8, 58 AND 107 · LANDS ON BAR 5

On crash, hi-hat, snare, high tom, mid tom and kick. 47 out of 100 -- a step up -- and what decides that is how many notes a second it asks for. In the song it lands on bar 5. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 24

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BAR 24 · LANDS ON BAR 25

On hi-hat, snare, high tom and kick. 46 out of 100 -- a step up -- and what decides that is how many notes a second it asks for. In the song it lands on bar 25. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 26

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BAR 26 · LANDS ON BAR 27

On ride, snare, high tom, mid tom and kick. 49 out of 100 -- a step up -- and what decides that is how many notes a second it asks for. In the song it lands on bar 27. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 28

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BAR 28 · LANDS ON BAR 29

On hi-hat, snare, mid tom, floor tom and kick. 50 out of 100 -- a step up -- and what decides that is how many notes a second it asks for. In the song it lands on bar 29. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 30

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BAR 30 · LANDS ON BAR 31

On crash, ride, snare, floor tom and kick. 57 out of 100 -- a step up -- and what decides that is how many notes a second it asks for. In the song it lands on bar 31. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 32

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BAR 32 · LANDS ON BAR 33

On hi-hat, snare, high tom, mid tom, floor tom and kick. 56 out of 100 -- a step up -- and what decides that is how many notes a second it asks for. In the song it lands on bar 33. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 39, and 6 more times

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BARS 39, 91, 99, 173 AND 177, AND 2 MORE PLACES · LANDS ON BAR 40

On crash, ride, hi-hat, snare, kick and hi-hat foot. 40 out of 100 -- a fair first song -- and what decides that is the independence between the hands and the feet. In the song it lands on bar 40. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 41, and 2 more times

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BARS 41, 111 AND 179 · LANDS ON BAR 42

On crash, hi-hat, snare and kick. 34 out of 100 -- a fair first song -- and what decides that is how many notes a second it asks for. In the song it lands on bar 42. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 63, and 3 more times

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BARS 63-66 · LANDS ON BAR 67

On ride, hi-hat and kick. 27 out of 100 -- a fair first song -- and what decides that is how much of it falls off the beat. In the song it lands on bar 67. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 79

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BAR 79 · LANDS ON BAR 80

On crash, snare, high tom, mid tom, floor tom and kick. 55 out of 100 -- a step up -- and what decides that is how many notes a second it asks for. In the song it lands on bar 80. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 87

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BAR 87 · LANDS ON BAR 88

On crash, ride, snare, high tom, mid tom and kick. 75 out of 100 -- demanding -- and what decides that is how many notes a second it asks for. In the song it lands on bar 88. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 89

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BAR 89 · LANDS ON BAR 90

On crash, ride, snare, high tom, mid tom and kick. 42 out of 100 -- a fair first song -- and what decides that is how many notes a second it asks for. In the song it lands on bar 90. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 93

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BAR 93 · LANDS ON BAR 94

On crash, ride, high tom and kick. 41 out of 100 -- a fair first song -- and what decides that is how many notes a second it asks for. In the song it lands on bar 94. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 95

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BAR 95 · LANDS ON BAR 96

On snare. 31 out of 100 -- a fair first song -- and what decides that is how many notes a second it asks for. In the song it lands on bar 96. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 103

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BAR 103 · LANDS ON BAR 104

On hi-hat, snare, high tom, mid tom and kick. 50 out of 100 -- a step up -- and what decides that is how many notes a second it asks for. In the song it lands on bar 104. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 105, and 1 more time

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BARS 105 AND 109 · LANDS ON BAR 106

On crash, ride, snare and kick. 42 out of 100 -- a fair first song -- and what decides that is the independence between the hands and the feet. In the song it lands on bar 106. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 115

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BAR 115 · LANDS ON BAR 116

On hi-hat, snare and kick. 74 out of 100 -- demanding -- and what decides that is how many notes a second it asks for. In the song it lands on bar 116. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 119

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BAR 119 · LANDS ON BAR 120

On high tom and mid tom. 33 out of 100 -- a fair first song -- and what decides that is how many notes a second it asks for. In the song it lands on bar 120. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 134, and 1 more time

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BARS 134-135 · LANDS ON BAR 136

On crash, hi-hat, snare, high tom, mid tom and kick. 49 out of 100 -- a step up -- and what decides that is how many notes a second it asks for. In the song it lands on bar 136. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 149, and 2 more times

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BARS 149, 151 AND 169 · LANDS ON BAR 150

On crash, ride, mid tom, floor tom and kick. 29 out of 100 -- a fair first song -- and what decides that is how many notes a second it asks for. In the song it lands on bar 150. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 153, and 2 more times

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BARS 153-155 · LANDS ON BAR 156

On crash, ride, snare, high tom, mid tom, floor tom and kick. 46 out of 100 -- a step up -- and what decides that is how many notes a second it asks for. In the song it lands on bar 156. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 157, and 1 more time

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BARS 157 AND 165 · LANDS ON BAR 158

On crash, ride, snare and kick. 25 out of 100 -- a fair first song -- and what decides that is how many notes a second it asks for. In the song it lands on bar 158. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 159

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BAR 159 · LANDS ON BAR 160

On crash, snare, mid tom and kick. 46 out of 100 -- a step up -- and what decides that is how many notes a second it asks for. In the song it lands on bar 160. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 161

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BAR 161 · LANDS ON BAR 162

On crash, ride, hi-hat, floor tom and kick. 46 out of 100 -- a step up -- and what decides that is how many notes a second it asks for. In the song it lands on bar 162. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 163

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BAR 163 · LANDS ON BAR 164

On crash, high tom, mid tom, floor tom and kick. 38 out of 100 -- a fair first song -- and what decides that is how many notes a second it asks for. In the song it lands on bar 164. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 167

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BAR 167 · LANDS ON BAR 168

On crash, snare, high tom and kick. 41 out of 100 -- a fair first song -- and what decides that is how many notes a second it asks for. In the song it lands on bar 168. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 171, and 1 more time

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BARS 171 AND 191 · LANDS ON BAR 172

On crash, snare, high tom, mid tom, floor tom and kick. 30 out of 100 -- a fair first song -- and what decides that is how many notes a second it asks for. In the song it lands on bar 172. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 175

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BAR 175 · LANDS ON BAR 176

On ride, snare, high tom, floor tom, kick and hi-hat foot. 46 out of 100 -- a step up -- and what decides that is how many notes a second it asks for. In the song it lands on bar 176. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 183

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BAR 183 · LANDS ON BAR 184

On hi-hat, snare, mid tom, floor tom and kick. 30 out of 100 -- a fair first song -- and what decides that is how many notes a second it asks for. In the song it lands on bar 184. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 185, and 2 more times

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BARS 185-187 · LANDS ON BAR 188

On hi-hat, snare, high tom, mid tom, floor tom, kick and hi-hat foot. 53 out of 100 -- a step up -- and what decides that is the independence between the hands and the feet. In the song it lands on bar 188. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 189

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BAR 189 · LANDS ON BAR 190

On crash, ride, snare, high tom, mid tom and kick. 61 out of 100 -- a step up -- and what decides that is the independence between the hands and the feet. In the song it lands on bar 190. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

Bar 193, and 6 more times

LOOP · 180 BPM
PLAYED AT BARS 193-199 · LANDS ON BAR 200

On crash, ride, hi-hat, snare, high tom, mid tom, floor tom and kick. 66 out of 100 -- demanding -- and what decides that is the independence between the hands and the feet. In the song it lands on bar 200. The exercise loops the figure on its own first, and the one after it puts it back: one bar of rest to count yourself in, the figure, then the landing with the time still running. Getting out of a fill is the half most people never practise.

How a fill is practised

A fill is rhythm before it is orchestration. The room plays the whole figure on the snare first, puts the feet under it second, and moves it round the toms last -- looped on its own, round and round, until the hands know it. Then it puts the fill back where it lives: a bar of rest to count in, the figure, and the downbeat it lands on, because landing square is the other half of the job.

PRACTISE THESE FILLS →

Questions

How many drum fills are in From This Day Forward?

33 distinct fills, played 64 times: bars 2, 4, 8, 10, 24 and 26, and 44 more places.

What is the hardest fill in From This Day Forward?

The one at bar 87, at 75 out of 100. 203 bars at 180 BPM -- fast, and 4:31 of it without a break -- on crash, ride, hi-hat, snare, high tom, mid tom, floor tom, kick and hi-hat foot.

READ OFF THE SCORE ITSELF · 203 BARS ANALYSED