That One Fill You Always Hear - Drum Lesson

There was this drum fill that I had heard a million times, but it always happened so fast I could never figure out what it was. Turns out that it's an insanely simple drum fill and in the drum lesson I'm going to break it down for you!
Here is where I get my backing tracks from
bit.ly/dumlesstracks
MY Video Gear
• Main Camera - Canon C200: amzn.to/2Sd9pUy
• Camera 2 - Canon C100 Mark II: amzn.to/2DYEhFf
• Main Lens: amzn.to/2Bvtq34
• Side/Overhead Lens: amzn.to/2FDI5NS
• Main Light - Aputure 120d: amzn.to/2TEhP8O
• Light Dome for Aputure 120d: amzn.to/2OZBnBb
Visit the ALL NEW mikeslessons.com
►bit.ly/onlinedrumlessons
Follow me here
►Facebook: / drumteacher76
►Instagram: / mikeslessons
►Twitter: / mikeslessons
• Gretsch Drums
• Meinl Cymbals
• Aquarian Drum Heads
• Vater Sticks
• DW Hardware
• Yamaha DTX

[@andrewsperry6450]

When I was 19 years old, Mike chatted with me on one of his videos and even called me to talk about drums. That day he had just had a meeting with Neil Peart to help him teach on one of his videos. He told me “Parents to tell you to be a doctor first and a drummer second. Fuck that. If you want to be a drummer, be one first and a Doctor second.” I played in bands for another 6 years after that. I no longer play drums today, but I’m a few years away from completing my doctor of psychology degree. Great guy, amazing drummer, and possible fortune teller.

[@TheSydneyMedsoc]

I'm an orthopaedic surgical trainee and I haven't touched a pair of sticks in 6 years

[@TheSydneyMedsoc]

or had a full night's sleep*

[@bobobrien8968]

Whaaaat? He schmoozed with Neil??? Omg. And rip Neil.

[@paulkennedy4920]

That number represents how many times you've been asked about your metronome app.

[@magni67]

but what is his metronome app?

[@OhDevBeard]

@@magni67 plot twist, there is no app. just his left foot.

[@marctompkins3001]

Before the virus hit I was taking weekly lessons. My instructor was leading me up to drum fill. As soon as I put all the pieces together, I said that was a drum fill. I had guessed it correctly, as I had named the train beat. I know to you that sounds so elementary, but I’m taking lessons from a TBI, of a ruptured brain aneurysm and stroke with a spinal cord injury. I’m learning to read music at the same time. The drums are a part of my rehab, making small victories. One lesson at a time. I’m waiting to start my lessons again, when the shop opens up their doors again. In the mean time, I’m watching videos on line, making connections.

[@butterflylady8875]

That’s awesome, drums are so much fun… I’ve also started February 12, 2020 my first drum lesson at the age of 58 and Blind… I had six lessons before lock down and have been learning titbits online… I so want to learn to play a song although I am not able to read music even though I have a grasp of it… Wish there was audio described sheet music for drums, it’s out there for piano… Wishing you all the best on your journey🤍🤍🤍🥰😘🇨🇦🦮

[@marctompkins3001]

@Jack actually our music director at church has stepped up and took me under his wing. Last Sabbath he told me that with his connection’s he is working on getting a drum set as a donation to the church. So I can play. He also has music written for drums that he will provide. So on that sense no I haven’t thrown in the towel.

[@KayZee1957]

Great drum sound. Round and punchy without being too dead.

[@gt3065]

That's Gretch for ya. Woody balanced punch.

[@anthonymignot253]

No matter how many times I watch this I still get goosebumps!! His phrasing when he solos is so effortless, intensional and musical. Love this dude and his playing style!! One of the dopest musician/drummer out there!!

[@mikeslessons]

Wow… I don’t even know how to respond to something like that 🍵🙏🍵🙏🥲

[@chapnamedbernard]

Hear hear. Absolute beast.

[@metallicarocks911]

This is a prime example of how a simple fill can sound rather awesome with the right kind of finesse and sensibilities behind your playing. Anyone can do this fill after a few minutes, but how it is played and applied, is something that takes a lot of practise and understanding.

[@metalheavythrasher]

It’s the number (in miles) from the Earth to our moon.

[@mikeslessons]

BOOM!!!! Winner Winner. Send me an email ([e-mail]) and I'll get you all set up for 1 full year of the All-Access Pass :) Mike J www.mikeslessons.com

[@zach_mizzi]

You lucky man! (and fast)

[@weareparkerful]

Actually they changed the distance They now say the mon is in our atmosphere

[@metalheavythrasher]

Mike Johnston I believe it sent. It’s an email from Oscar.

[@aditussomnus]

Maaan, congrats. That's absolutely awesome.

[@samnzdrum]

This is one of the best drums lessons, and you have one of the best attitudes towards drumming I have ever seen. Easiest sub of my life. Thank you.

[@zakkmarks6831]

This man can take something so simple and turn it into the sickest thing in the world. Insane.

[@leofisher1280]

Ive never touched a drumkit before but I love this

[@sackerland]

Videos like this inspire me to clean up my technique and actually practice for a change. Thank you sir! Amazing playing man.

[@tombuck]

I’ve never heard anyone explain a lick this clearly. So well done!

[@mikeslessons]

The Enthusiasm Project awe man, you just made my day. So glad you enjoyed it! Mike J www.mikeslessons.com

[@maxbehymer8535]

Holy coW I've never seen your videos before, but I will definitely continue to. You are SUCH a great drumset player.

[@seanc6042]

IMO this guy is the best drum teacher on KZbin. Always fun & practical content. End of!

[@spnyp33]

yep, I started humming When the Levee Breaks during that section @2:40. Great Lesson!

[@filipecrosk]

Amazing fill, so simple, but sound so full when applied in the middle of something. Thanks for figuring it out and taking the time to share.

[@ryanlandseadel1946]

THANK YOU for breaking this down... I have certainly heard this lick many times and it always seemed to happen to fast to figure it out. Thank you good sir!

[@suranakshay]

I've binge watched his videos for an hour. Now i think my practice time is up.

[@AaronPangDrums]

i KNEW this was the fill when i saw the title! I heard you use it all the time since years ago, and one day decided i NEED to find out what it was. so i played the parts in slowmo to figure it out - basically exactly like you described it. hahaha. glad its now here for everyone! Thanks for sharing Mike!

[@wafulton]

Here's some heresy. I learned this lick from a jazz guy years ago. He didn't teach it as cleanly, but it worked. For the flam, he'd do a diddle (kinda loose) with his left hand then accent the right, instead of a L/R flam. Same hit to the ride with bass. No ghost note after. Kind of a shhDAH bom shsDAH bom shhDah bom then four notes.... It sounds the same and is easy to use when the band is swigin'. It really is the one fill you always hear. Grateful for this lesson!

[@wesmorris8299]

I’ve been playing drums for 23 years and you are awesome thank you for everything you’ve been doing

[@RedCymbals]

Your videos are THE BEST. The original and the best

[@JimsMusicLegacy]

I've always wondered how that fill was played. Thanks again, Mike. Love your enthusiasm!

[@thomaskdrums]

Your lighting is getting better and better. And great drumming as always!

[@mikeslessons]

Awe man, thank you so much. Working on it every day :) Mike J www.mikeslessons.com

[@billbrandt1106]

LOVE that 1960's blue Gretsch drum kit. Sounds GREAT.

[@kacbubnjar]

Yeah, classic 3 over 4. Love the mentioned jazz impact. Thanks Mike ❤️

[@jimdrummer816]

Mike, you are so stinkin' smooth.............and very talented. You make it look so easy, then I sit down at the kit.......

[@spoonermcgee]

Mike, you're always a joy to watch. So much enthusiasm, you feel like a best friend with the way you teach!

[@wafulton]

Agreed. Very inspiring. GREAT teacher

[@robertphelan262]

Dude I absolutely love how buttery smooth you play cant get enough thanks Mike😎

[@juandediosaylwin8092]

How sick was that! really impresive, Mike, could you consider doing a lesson of the 4:39 cowbell saucy groove?

[@byMinho]

I just cannot stop admiring what you can do with such simple ideas... All the best from Edinburgh!

[@antianti328]

Ayyy, also from Edinburgh here 💙

[@craigg8314]

4:20 amazing choke on the crash, never thought to do that - bury the stick. Thanks for showing that.

[@lajeanette33]

Personnaly you can upload every year as long as you’re happy doing it! So next Saturday or not you have my support ^^

[@diggumsmacks1]

The number is the number of lessons you’ve given

[@guitarswhiskeyandgolf]

What an awesome player you are Mike and teacher. Accessible in your approach without be condescending at all. Mind boggling skill set

[@JasonWelchMusic]

Awesome!... New sub! That fill has drove me nuts! I did it once on accident, and have tried for days to figure exactly how to replicate it ...thank you for helping me!....

[@destination_percussion]

My god, there are so many compliments I want to give you just from watching this one vid. Your explanations, your sound, your musicality, and the list goes on!!!! Great Work Mike, maybe someday I can participate in one your drum camps!!!

[@mikeslessons]

Damn Destin, you're about to make a grown man blush, LOL. Seriously though... thank you very very much :) Mike J www.mikeslessons.com

[@jacedaniel]

After sitting for an hour with this, it seems it might even be easier with that being a right-handed flam. That way you’re just doing Swiss triplets with a kick on the second partial. Left hand’s just shuffling ghost notes.

[@timofelber]

What do you use to record your drumsound? Sounds awesome and I can't See any close mics

[@loddxr]

that IS the fill I keep hearing and not being able to dissect. you hero, Mike!

[@DrogDrummer666]

Dear Mike, the moon’s orbit around the Earth is elliptical, so it’s distance away can range from around 225,000 miles all the way to over 250,000 miles. You probably already know, but 238,900 is the average of all those distances. :) just thought it was a cool fact you might enjoy. Thanks for being awesome and inspiring so many!

[@loftiswrites]

How. On. Earth. Do you not have more subscribers?!?! 😩😭 You’re flipping amazing and SUCH a gifted communicator.

[@nathanowens3]

You ROCK Mike! Thanks

[@robertkinsall7990]

This is excellent! Thanks Mike!

[@HRoux]

In love with your studio! Looks awesome.

[@lillsidansdino]

Thx! Now I don't need to learn anymore fills, this will do the job 🙏

[@efraim83]

mike.... you are a hero!

[@nikitasaruhanov8986]

I can see some great teaching skills here. Just incredible!

[@ahmadabuhamad7900]

"Now after you have done that about 238,900 times"

[@erikrohr4396]

It's the number of miles between the earth and the moon. Yes!

[@DJSteenkampMusic]

I don't teach music, but your attitude and love for the subject is inspiring. Thank you for the reminder. Love your work :)

[@spavkov]

Very inspirational! Thanks!

[@michaelgabriel5023]

Thank you, that was a damn good lesson

[@bone_head9534]

Bro your drumming is on point!!!

[@j0shcamach0]

I never knew this fill was this simple!! Thanks Mike!!!! 😁😁😁

[@dnalpuca1236]

Nice drum sound & love the you play it dood..

[@dmitrybogatsky1734]

Great lesson!

[@RandyHanley]

So clean! Awesome explanation as always.

[@luismoncada9280]

Dude! That was awesome. Thank you for sharing. I loved it.

[@wonderboy_mr.d7885]

Love this fills. Very helpful. Thanks man.

[@andrewcardano]

Kicking ass! Definitely subscribed and will continue watching:) keep up the good work!

[@ZuLLeT]

Great lesson as always mike! Been a while since I've watched one of your videos, been subscribed for years. Look forward to the next one, keep 'em coming :)

[@anthonymignot253]

Yesss! Makes me wanna practice!! Mike is the man!!

[@toddbeeman5933]

Holy addicting drum sounds! I've always had such an eagerness to make/write/compose music, but never willing to [compromise] or limit a song's potential complete effectiveness because I learned how to play one or two instruments. So from the perspective of being able to go in the studio and lay down tracks of all the instruments/parts/riffs I want, it's incredibly useful for countless reasons. As well, it can make songwriting loads easier if different sections of a song are lead by a variety of instrument configurations.. for example; Verses- Keys with electric guitar riff, PreChorus- Bass guitar riff with electric guitar chords, Chorus- Riff on keys with syncopated guitar chords/riff and bass used to invert chord structures. However, 20+ years of dividing my practice/experience of playing between the acoustic, electric, piano, bass, drums, etc made it nearly impossible for me to become exceptional at any of them. I often find myself wishing so intently I would've just focused on one.. but I can't desire one without the others. I would absolutely love to sit behind a kit and play with such a perfected technique, flawless dynamics & phrasing, etc, etc.. but man, I'd sure love to sit down with an acoustic do the same thing.. and play crazy lead parts on the electric, and insane bass lines.. and on and on. Most importantly, I want the ability to tune and record every instrument with the insane perfection of that freakinng drum kit! Like, seriously.. wtf?! Lol

[@robertociai6205]

Great Mike

[@ihatethefuture]

Well I'm subscribing. Excellent video, man, really well broken down and presented.

[@Grayham4]

Sad that with like 2 mics this guy destroys my 8-mic drum sound

[@zachary4670]

I_Like_It_Here lol. Fyi john bonham used two or three mics

[@Eupeye]

Amazing drums have outstanding sound, no matter how many mics you use

[@NamedNeo]

Amazing improvisation! 🔥 You're a huge inspiration to me!

[@CNder77]

Great video thank you, this is an awesome fill. Turns out this fill I play, I just never knew what I was playing, lol. Thanks again

[@krismuller2209]

Just found my favourite KZbin drum teacher

[@bailey12444]

Great lesson, going to practice now

[@christoph.schneider]

Dude your cymbals sound amazing!

[@emmanuelhird9931]

I love the lighting and overall sleek style of your videos! It feels like I'm at an Apple Store but for drums, and Mike is like the Steve Jobs unveiling the next mystery lick 😂

[@ZachairyClark]

No wonder peeps want a vid every saturday... your playing is SUPERB!

[@frederikdallthomalla3184]

I'm definitely going to use that!

[@kipwsm]

this lick is cool n all, but those hushed cymbal breaks around 4:19 are my new favorite thing.

[@nallanw4329]

kipwsm that was tooo cool!!

[@smokeythebear99]

Never seen it before and I love it

[@payableondrummer]

Just watched for the inevitable dope mini solo 🤙🏻

[@austinlbryant]

Awesome lick and video!

[@coreyroberts47]

Dude I love your style, both as a drummer and person

[@AlexanderVanMeerten]

Thank you Mike!😊

[@TheArunster]

That aperture light dome ❤️

[@kayangkaya]

THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!!

[@CamMineo]

love it! thank you!!

[@JirkeDonker]

I honestly just do swiss army triplets with a flam on the front. It's a bit of a flow-y motion that takes a second to get down but I think it's a lot easier when going in from a fill when you lead on your right hand primarily. I kinda just do the reverse circle when hitting the ride, moving out from the snare to hit them ride then floating up and back to the snare for the next right hand flam.

[@michaeltingle444]

Nice lesson Mike

[@hometownsportsbar]

Mike you make me laugh every lesson, love it! Your a great inspiration!

[@Mikas_Emil]

Mike. That improvisational piece you made is absolutely amazing. I had to comment. Wow. Flow, flow, flow.

[@mikeslessons]

Mikas Emil Søndergaard Eskesen My friend, thank you so very much! 🙏🍵🙏🍵

[@Mikas_Emil]

Mike Johnston what is that icon? Soup? 😂 Have been watching you on/off for years. You have really evolved as a player also. Was really inspired by this video 😊 thanks.

[@pastortristan5866]

Thank you Mike.

[@dabush33]

Nice fill! the drums are tuned swell!

[@prtdrums]

Great Stuff Brother!! Thanks 🏁👊⚡🎵🤟

[@stevenzhang921]

Killer full Mike 🤘🤘

[@Tappertee2]

This is great. A different sticking than the blushda but applied the same especially when doing them over 16ths. I’ve been mixing the 2 together.

[@user-oy7gz5bf2h]

I love your touch! That's the type of flow I want. (If I am ever to put that drum set up again.. I'm a guitar player)

[@karinacapetillo8973]

Mike! Your so awesome!!!! Love your vidoes!

[@danielolleres2991]

Good teaching skills.. Very interesting to watch. God Bless Bro :)

[@LibuttiG]

I FEEL THE WARMTH OF THE FILL

[@gianni6710]

Great video!

[@usualthings4726]

You are the best teacher I had ever seen 😍

[@mikeslessons]

Thanks so much! Imagine if you actually got to see my real lessons on my site, lol. Mike J www.mikeslessons.com

[@rambo190470]

Gotta love that "bla-dum" man lol awesome as always!! :)

[@Groovedrummer1989]

Awesome video!

[@13TeK11]

That feeling when you should go to sleep and here it comes mike with some spicy sauce to practice...dayum! Also that drum sounds so crispy!