How do you learn fill-ins and where to put them in song????????

[MemphisKeys]

Hey LGM this is Memphiskeys and I haven't been on here in a while but I been learning some things...But I been trying to understand where and when to put fill-ins in song...and how are they created....Any help will b gladly appreciated thanks and God Bless All...

[under13]

When I do fills, I usually make sure that they are in places when people arent singing. So when there is a short pause in the singing, you can throw in something It just sounds better that way. Our job is to support the singer, not to throw in runs whenever we want.

Just like when doing runs, you have to know the the notes in the scale of the key that you are in, and you have to have good timing. When you have good timing you will effortlessly be able to land on the right note in time.



How did I learn fill ins? When I first started playing, I would listen to recordings of musicians and mimic as much as I could. That really helped me. Being able to do fills will not come over night.

So my advice for those having problems with runs and fill ins, is to count. Yes, count. Even write it out if you have to. the song usually goes 1234 1234 1234..... You can do almost whatever you want in that scale as long as you get to the 1 on time.

Listen to this clip. The organist and guitar player are mostly doing fill ins. Notice how we land on the same note as the piano player at the same time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWc0k8Aur9c

[Ramar]

When I do fills, I usually make sure that they are in places when people arent singing. So when there is a short pause in the singing, you can throw in something It just sounds better that way. Our job is to support the singer, not to throw in runs whenever we want.

Just like when doing runs, you have to know the the notes in the scale of the key that you are in, and you have to have good timing. When you have good timing you will effortlessly be able to land on the right note in time.



How did I learn fill ins? When I first started playing, I would listen to recordings of musicians and mimic as much as I could. That really helped me. Being able to do fills will not come over night.

So my advice for those having problems with runs and fill ins, is to count. Yes, count. Even write it out if you have to. the song usually goes 1234 1234 1234..... You can do almost whatever you want in that scale as long as you get to the 1 on time.

Listen to this clip. The organist and guitar player are mostly doing fill ins. Notice how we land on the same note as the piano player at the same time.

He's right, it's better to do the fills in the places when either 1)people aren't singing or 2)during transitions or modulations... Don't do too many, because not only will it make you sound like a show-off (and not a good one at that), but you also have to remember that music compliments the vocals, not the other way around; When people are singing, it's not your time to shine.

 Even though it's not all about you, you can still add your touch by doing the above... also like under13 said, you have to know the notes of the scale... For every chord you play, there is a scale that goes along with it... its up to you to learn those scales.

Another tip: Instead of just learning fills and runs, learn the THEORY behind them; that way you can create your own.

[under13]

Another tip: Instead of just learning fills and runs, learn the THEORY behind them; that way you can create your own.

Can you elaborate on the theory part; honestly I'm not very theory minded when it come to playing.

[berbie]

The musicians were comping on the example video. I heard two distinct progressions at least. And a brief middle part. What progressions were they playing and what were the cords that they were using for the comp? Anyone?

I would like to use that song in our worship. Any help would be appreciated.

Passing music, fill-ins and comps are somewhat difficult and are a puzzle for many gospel musicians including me. I wonder if there is an "aha" moment when one discovers that he has the key. Advanced musicians seem to be able to do it in such an effortless manner. 

Thanks again for any help.

berbie

[under13]

That was me on the organ in the video. I have no idea what progressions we used as I'm not a theory guy. Comping is easy for me, but getting the correct bass notes has never been my forte, but I think I'm getting there.

For left hand comping, you can play the same exact thing that you would in your right hand. If I'm soloing with my right, I'll usually play the major chord of the right hand note in my left. I guess you can etend the chords if you want to make it phat, but I'm not even into the theory of that yet.

[T-Block]

Here's a response by Rjthakid on this topic that may help shed some light for yall:

To add a little to this:

Two specific ways to use passing chords are Chromatically, and throught the Circle of Fourths.

Let's say you're playing a song with a decending bassline.

Let's stick to the key of C.  (Again, please note that I'm not at my board, so if something doesn't sound right lemme know)

Let's say the first line of 'Thank You Lord'

Chromatic Approach:

C/G-C-E     Thank
B/G-B-D     You
C-Gb/E-Ab-B *Passing Chord*
A/E-G-C      Lord

The Bass line is walking down (C, B, A)

I inserted an Ab7#5#9 chord (yes I LOVE the #5#9).  The root isn't on the bottom.

Alternave voicing for that chord:

Ab-E-B/Gb-C
This voicing is probably a bit more piano-like (remember: I primarily play the Organ).  And yes that is a stretch in your left hand, but that stretch gives the chord a great sound.

Back to the point.  You can generally approach a chord from a half-step below or a half step above.  I prefer to approach from a half-step below as I did in this example.  I played an Ab chord to lead me to the A chord.

Next Example...

Approaching using the Circle of Fourths  (This one is a LITTLE more difficult)

C/G-C-E              Thank
/A,B,C,D  (these are single notes...not a chord)
B/E-A-B-E            You
E/E-G#-B-D    *Passing Chord*
A-E-A/G#-B-C#-E Lord *Substitution* (Major for Minor)

Alright, I led into the A chord with an E Major chord.  Of course we now that A follows E in the circle of Fourths.

So instead of playing 1-7-6 I played 1-7-3-6

This is especially useful in 1-4-5-1 progressions which are VERY common.  You can throw in the 2 to lead to the 5 and make it 1-4-2-5-1.

I also substituted and made that A minor an A MAJOR.  I like to do that with the 6 chord.


Now take it and learn it in every key!

Tip: Don't just play the chords.  Play that same song 'Thank You Lord' and add the passing chords/substitutions.  As T-Block has already stated, APPLYING chords, subs, etc to actual songs is the very best way to learn.

I hope this helps. 

[Rjthakid]

This organist's feel is pretty amazing.

I've been studying this little progression and the stuff he does to fill up the sound.

http://www.gospelmusicians.com/media/969/THANK-YOU-LORD-pt.-2-/

Good stuff.

[under13]

Thanks T and RJ, I'm gonna have to study that

[Metronome]

Lol............it also depends on the singer.  Some singers like runs and riffs when they sing.you just gotta be REALLY careful or you will sound WHACK lol

[Rjthakid]

This organist's feel is pretty amazing.

I've been studying this little progression and the stuff he does to fill up the sound.

http://www.gospelmusicians.com/media/969/THANK-YOU-LORD-pt.-2-/

Good stuff.

For over a month I've been looking for the "Part 1" of this video.

I finally found it!!!!

Does anybody know what song this is?

He makes this sound so full and he has first-class taste:

http://www.gospelmusicians.com/media/1170/THANK-YOU-LORD-/

[berbie]

Key of "D".  Progressions:  D-A-G-A,  D-A-D-G, D-A-G-D and E-Gb-G-B.  The chords are straight-forward.  There is a little part in there where an A-G back and forth is used.  The fills are just runs on the matching chords.
You can also use a Bmin in bass with matching chord in the proper spot. You can hear it in music. Someone correct me if I am wrong. (Here I am To Worship)

berbie

[Fenix]

That was me on the organ in the video. I have no idea what progressions we used as I'm not a theory guy. Comping is easy for me, but getting the correct bass notes has never been my forte, but I think I'm getting there.

OK i'm sorry but how in the heck do you NOT know the progression you were playing? 

[T-Block]

OK i'm sorry but how in the heck do you NOT know the progression you were playing? 

He probably meant that he couldn't communicate what he was playing in theory terms.

[under13]

Yeah thats it. Maybe if I was at the keyboard i could, but 90% of the time, I dont think about the theory behind what I play.

[Fenix]

Yeah thats it. Maybe if I was at the keyboard i could, but 90% of the time, I dont think about the theory behind what I play.

He probably meant that he couldn't communicate what he was playing in theory terms.

OK now it makes sense. Yeah when i play i hardly ever think if the theory.

[T-Block]

I say that because the foundation of chords is the bass.  So, as long as u have your foundation, you should be straight.  It won't sound colorful, but it will get the job done.  I know cuz I've played a service wit straight bass b4 and it turned out fine.