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A fill is a short musical phrase or improvised passage that fills a brief gap in the music. Fills are commonly used between vocal phrases or at transitions between sections of a song.
What is a fill?
A fill adds variety and helps connect different sections of a song without changing its underlying rhythm or harmony. Although fills are often improvised, they can also be written into an arrangement.
Fills are widely used by drummers, keyboard players, guitarists and other musicians to add movement and maintain the listener’s interest.
How are fills used in piano playing?
Piano players often perform fills during pauses in the vocal melody or at the end of musical phrases. A fill may consist of a short melodic run, an arpeggio, a chord-based idea or a rhythmic embellishment.
Well-played fills enhance an accompaniment by adding expression and variety without distracting from the main melody.