This lesson continues working on fills and transitions by placing fills in measures 3 and 7. It explains why starting a fill after resting for two measures can feel awkward and shows how counting out loud can help you identify where you are in the song. The lesson also demonstrates how counting measures gives you more options for adding variation and complementing a song.
Below is the original transcript from the video.
Hey, what’s up? In this video, we’ll continue working on fills and transitions.In the first video of the series, our first example had fills in measures 1 and 5; in the last video, we placed those fills in measures 2 and 6. Now, we’re moving forward through the progression by placing the first example’s fills in measures 3 and 7. Got that? I’ll be scratching with the kick drum from beat 1. Okay! Here we go!
Rhythm 1
I’m going to assume everything went fine with scratching the rhythm. However, it might feel a little awkward resting for two measures before scratching. If that’s the case, count out loud and identify measure 3 first. Once you’ve got that down, then work on the rhythm.
All right. Here we go!
Rhythm 2
Hopefully, you didn’t have any problems with the fill in the eighth measure and the drop on beat one. I say that because dropping on beat one is pretty standard. However, starting the first fill in measure 3 might take a little time to get used to.
We practice stuff like this because it allows us to add variation wherever we want. Before I knew how to count measures, I had to listen for cues in songs. I would listen for a vocal or a sound, and if I missed it, it was over. To say the least, it was extremely stressful.
Counting bars is a skill that lets us come in or complement the song anywhere we want. More tools equals more options. I hope this information helps. Be sure to share it with a friend. Peace.
FAQs
1. What can you do if starting the first fill in measure 3 feels awkward?
If starting the first fill in measure 3 feels awkward, you can count out loud and identify measure 3 first, then work on scratching the rhythm.
2. How can counting bars be useful when scratching fills?
Counting bars can be useful when scratching fills because it lets you come in or complement a song wherever you want instead of relying on vocal or sound cues.
About the Authors
Jason E. Bullock and M. Dwayne Bullock (DjRoninTokyo) are the creators of Scratching Made Easy and the authors of Scratching Made Easy Turntable Method Book 1: A Guide to Scratching. They created a scratch notation system that uses standard musical notation to apply fundamental music concepts to scratching.
